Lean on Me

Last week was a really difficult week for me. I have a daughter who is 19 months and a son who is 4. That can be very trying at times (as I am sure all of you moms know). I know I am not unique and there are millions of other women in the world who are experiencing or have experienced similar difficulties when confronted with the day to day chores and challenges of raising two young children and I know that many have experienced much worse but that doesn't change the fact that there are days when I just don't feel I have the strength to make it through. I know that you have probably felt the same in your life too. Maybe you don't have children but you have a job that is really difficult to do most days or maybe you have a relationship that is hard to manage right now. Whatever it is, we all face challenges in our day to day lives that make it quite difficult to muster the strength to go on at times.

As I was in the middle of it last week, I found myself in tears struggling to move forward with my day but I knew that for myself and for my kids, I had to pull it together. At that time I just began put out the calls; I called my sister and I called friends. Some offered moral support, others gave some great advice, and one friend went out of her way to meet me after a long hard day at work. It made all the difference in the world to know that there were people out there that cared about me enough to let me lean on them in a difficult time.

I don't know about you but I am the kind of person that wants to do everything on my own. I don't often ask for help and I usually don't think that I need it but it is the difficult times like those I faced last week that force me to reach out and it is in those times that I realize that not only am I blessed with people who are willing to lend support, we are both better for having supported one another. We all want to know that we are needed in some way and it is those times when friends or family need us that allow us to shine. It gives us a sense of purpose and allows us to feel like we can make a difference in the world.

This week I just want to encourage you, if you are in a time of weakness, reach out and lean on those around you, you will probably be amazed at the outpouring of support that you receive. If you are called upon by someone that you know and love, give your support willingly, wholeheartedly, and without strings attached. In the end you will both be better for having lived your lives with each other. It is getting through the challenges of life with one another that makes our relationships the deep, powerful kind of relationships that we all need and desire.