600 Women

My mother in law invited Hannah and me to an event yesterday. We traveled the 3 hours that it takes us to get to Chicago, spent the night Friday night, and spent the entire day at the Drury Lane Theater with approximately 600 other women.

Being the people watcher that I am, this was a fascinating experience for me. Sitting in a giant room with fancy linens and waaaaaaaaaay too much estrogen, I began thinking about the lives of the women in that room.

From the outside, almost every woman in that room seemed happy, healthy, and well off. They seemed to be enjoying the company of each other, enjoying the great food that was provided, and especially enjoying the (very) handsome male model that took part in the fashion show.

But as I watched many of these women from the comfort of my seat, I couldn't help but wonder what their lives were truly like. I wondered how many of them had experienced the loss of a child in some form or another. I wondered how many of them have experienced life threatening illness, a loss of dreams and hopes, or have been physically or emotionally abused. I wondered about their life stories. I wondered how many of them are like me- trying to live life with a significant and life changing loss.


My guess? Almost all of them.

Joshua's life and death has brought a new perspective to my life. I SEE people in a new light. I wonder what hardships and blessings their lives have brought them. I wonder how many of them are walking around, seemingly confident and happy and, all the while, carrying a burden that is threatening to suffocate them at any moment.

I want to help those women. I want to show them that there is a Love deeper than any love we can ever dream of. I want to help them carry the burden of life, like so many have done for me in my darkest of days. I want to show them the Hope that has brought peace and joy back to my life. Most importantly, I want them to know that they are not alone in their struggles.

I want women to know that they are beautiful, even when they don't feel like they are. I want them to know that they are loved, supported, and treasured beyond all measure. I want the fighting among women to stop. I want mothers to support each other rather than condemn, fight, and judge. I want us all to be in this life WITH one another rather than AGAINST one another.

I know Joshua's life has not been in vain. I know that this blog has brought other's closer to God, their family, and their friends. But I want to do more. I can't help but feel The Spirit gently nudging me, and I'm waiting for Him to show me exactly where He is leading. I can't help but think that this new found perspective and passion are going to help shape the next few chapters of my life.

All of that from a room full of 600 women! whew!