You are not alone

You're not alone in your junk. I got a phone call today...a desperate phone call from a friend who I actually rarely talk to, but for whatever reason, I popped into her head to turn to in a desperate moment. She's been out of work for awhile, and like so many people in our crappy economy, she can find NOTHING. As soon as I said, "hello", she burst into tears. Through her sobs, she said, "Holly, I need you to pray for me. I just can't pray right now....I don't know what else to say to God. I can't get happy, and I feel so lost. I just don't know what else to do."

I immediately gave a shout out to God for my friend, and then proceeded to encourage her the best I could. My heart hurt listening to her state of desperation, but honestly, the only thing that kept entering my mind was "Friend, you are not alone."

There's a lot of people going through a lot of crap right now...we are not alone. My friend then proceeded to apologize for calling me and dumping out all her problems. But there is no need to apologize, because she is not alone, and I don't want her to be alone. I was honored that she was led to reach out to me. I've been in the depths of despair and depression....I know how it feels, and she needs love, encouragement and support.

I recently bought a t-shirt from Jedidiah, my favorite graphic tee company. I ordered it online because I loved the design, but when I got it and checking it out in person, almost hidden in the design was the phrase, "I am not alone with my junk." Reading this, I thought, "wow...this shirt was made for me."

On the inside of the shirt was a story about a guy who was internally dealing with a lot of "junk". He said, "I shined a light on the darkness in my life and exposed parts of me that no one knew....After I shared my experience with others, they began sharing their own similar stories with me....When we fall, unconditional love picks us up....Through vulnerability, I am no longer a slave to darkness."

Let's be honest, times are tough. And it's time to let down those walls and go through our junk together. God created us to do life together...even during the tough times. There are so many going through hardships we never imagined we'd encounter. And everyone is always struggling or dealing with something. Now more than ever we need to wear love and encouragement on our sleeves.....whatever it is you're dealing with right now, find that person that you can lean on, cry with and vent to. Someone that will listen and encourage, and be that person to someone today. Because we are not alone in our junk.