Hello Friends,

This week has been a crazy week with work.  I am SO glad it is Friday.  Today I am thinking about all the broken people (which really is all of us) in this world.  A friend recently shared a post on Facebook about how people just say they are "fine" even if they are not.  This makes my favorite Matthew West song perfect for this post.  Here is the first verse and chorus:

Truth Be Told (Matthew West)

Lie number one you're supposed to have it all together
And when they ask how you're doing
Just smile and tell them, "Never better"

Lie number two everybody's life is perfect except yours
So keep your messes and your wounds
And your secrets safe with you behind closed doors

Truth be told
The truth is rarely told, now
I say I'm fine, yeah I'm fine oh I'm fine, hey I'm fine but I'm not
I'm broken
And when it's out of control I say it's under control but it's not
And you know it
I don't know why it's so hard to admit it
When being honest is the only way to fix it
There's no failure, no fall
There's no sin you don't already know
So let the truth be told

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, we are supposed to carry each other's burdens.  We can only do this if we SHARE with one another.  How can we carry each other's burdens?  I mean obviously we can't switch places with others, or make problems go away.  So here is my take on it, although other people may view it differently.   For me, you let them know you are there.  Send a text, make a phone call, drop off a surprise care package.  Send a card, pray for them, then let them know you prayed for them.  Just let them know they are not alone in this world.  Empathize, show love and compassion, let them know they are allowed to feel how they feel.  At times I haven't wanted to express my feelings because of the stereotype that Christians are supposed to be happy ALL the time.  (This is not true, by the way.  Yes, we are supposed to have Joy, but joy runs deeper than happiness.  It's soul deep. It's the joy of a Saviour deep.) 

I cannot tell you how many times I felt a certain way but didn't want to speak up because I was afraid people would look at me like I was crazy.  That they would somehow see me as less Christian because I had questions, fears, doubts, burdens, or bad habits.  It's still a struggle at times, but I am learning to share.  I share because if I say "I struggle with anxiety" then someone else may suddenly feel less alone because they have anxiety too.  It's the same with my struggle with depression.   When I meet someone else who struggles (not that I WANT others to struggle) it helps me remember that we are in this together.  Nobody is going to get through this earthly life alive (technically there were two in the Bible that didn't actually die, but you know what I mean).  So, share with each other, encourage each other, and support each other.  If you know someone who is struggling, reach out.  It doesn't have to be in person.  You could send a text or a card.  If you feel it is somehow "unsafe" to reach out, perhaps there is someone you know that could reach out to them.  

Please know I am here to "listen."  Feel free to e-mail me, although I highly encourage you to seek out fellow Christians near you to share with and talk to.  Perhaps an older, same gender, Christian to help support and disciple you, or perhaps you know a younger, same gender, Christian you can support and disciple.   Just SHARE, and encourage others to share with you.  We need each other, God gave us each other to share and support and encourage each other in Christ.  

I am a follower of Christ, I am not perfect, but I love Jesus.

Until Next Time,

Liz Allen