31 Days to Keep a Tender Heart: October 22

Yesterday, my sister and I had one of those rare moments where it’s just the two of us and we get to talk for an uninterrupted period of time.

It was wonderful and I delighted in every second of it.

Karyn is one of my best and safest friends, but I still get nervous when I want to be real with her. I was telling her some of my thoughts and feelings that have been provoked by reading Grace for the Good Girl. I started telling her about some of the terrible things my “good girl” says to me when I’ve done something that I should not do. She looked at me with a mixture of surprise and compassion as she said, “Wow, that’s what it’s like in your brain?” It was interesting and helpful for me to see how my perspective looks to her and to hear her perspective on me.

Karyn went on to share with me some of what she is struggling with and I got to share my perspective with her.

Somewhere in this refreshing and authentic exchange, I told Karyn that I really want to offer what we were experiencing to other women. So much of what we think and feel remains hidden behind our exterior “everything is fine” appearance. We don’t realize that other women are also hurting and struggling and we don’t share with other women when we are. Some of us do share these things, but these occasions are the rare exception rather than the rule.

I’m going to challenge myself to share more authentically with the women in my life, especially when I’m struggling. I’m also going to challenge myself to invite women to share more authentically with me when they are struggling. I invite you to join me.

Still Counting Gifts:

· #576: My first run in over a week

· #577: A quiet house to myself this morning

· #578: Coffee with Jesus

· #579: Catching part of a Jon Thurlow watch at IHOP-KC online from the prayer room

· #580: Time to run errands

· #581: That all my car needed was gas when it broke down yesterday

· #582: How God kept speaking to me as He was speaking to my clients through me today

· #583: More time with Jesus at the prayer room

· #584: Finding time to take care of life details

· #585: Another Sunday night bonfire in my backyard

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pursuing LOVE...and JOY...and WHOLEHEARTEDNESS!

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