A Place To Feel Accepted

A Place to Feel Accepted

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

I was overwhelmed. As a new mother of two children, what I thought would just be double the work suddenly felt more like quadruple, plus ten. Between hormonal changes, middle-of-the-night feedings for a fussy newborn, and chasing around a thirteen-month-old, I was beyond tired and feeling crushed by the burden of motherhood.

My sister-in-law April observed my distress and sent me an encouraging message about a moms’ group that she was a part of. She wondered if I’d like to join the group that would be starting again that fall. She eased my fears as she shared about the other moms and the topics we’d talk about throughout the year. Mostly, she stated, it was a place for women to come together and feel like they weren’t alone. A place where they could hear from moms who were going through similar struggles.

On the morning of the first meeting, I gathered my children as quickly as I could to drive the short distance to the church the moms’ group met at. I parked and laboriously slung the baby carrier and diaper bag on one arm, while also attempting to hold the hand of my very small toddler with the other. April met me at the door with a huge smile on her face, ready to help me to the childcare rooms, settling my kids in and showing me to the meeting room.

Years later, I do not recall that first meeting around the table at all; I only remember April’s smiling face and open arms. She exuded a calming warmth and extended friendship to me when I was most vulnerable, and I am forever thankful that she did.

Worry can weigh a person down, but an encouraging word from a friend can cheer a person up. We all go through seasons of worry where we need friends who can come alongside us and encourage us, and other times where our words can cheer someone else up. All it takes is a little intentionality to notice someone who is struggling and then offer them some encouragement.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Think of a friend who is weighed down with worry, and use your words to help cheer them up.