Our cares are lifted in the embrace of community.
Normally I didn’t prepare anything formal for our once a month Women’s Breakfast at the church, but that day I felt led to open a discussion about our grown kids.
Gingerly, I revealed how a couple of my kids were far from their Maker. I was buoyed by the strength God had given me these past fourteen years. At one time this discussion left me crushed but now it felt like an invitation to my highest calling. God has ministered to my heart and now He asked me to share what I’ve learned.
One by one, women opened up about the sadness of a child who no longer believes. Tears flowed as knowing glances were shared. The hopelessness and shame were palpable as each woman talked. But I also sensed God’s sweet embrace.
In this sacred space there was an opportunity to extend compassion and kindness. Hope was mingled with fear. There was a holy hush as women shared their pain.
One burdened mom said, “It feels so good to talk about it. I’ve felt so alone in this. I thought I was the only one.” I saw relief on her face and a glimmer of light in her eyes for the first time. Tension slid off her shoulders as she was released from the grip of guilt.
She felt seen.
We long to hide when our children are far from God. We feel like failures. Shame interrupts our thoughts and condemns our hearts. When we pray earnestly that our children follow God and these prayers go unanswered, we wonder where we went wrong.
That morning with those moms felt like what the early church was instructed to do. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2 NLT)
These burdens refer to failures, testing, and trials. Surely a mom feels like a castaway when her child walks away from God. However, when she shares her heaviness with a compassionate listener, she feels strengthened. We find hope in God and from each other when we share our pain. Our cares are lifted in the embrace of community. This is Christ’s heart.
CONNECT WITH PAMELA HENKELMAN
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So beautifully articulated! Thank you for sharing.