Young Ladies

In November, I was given the opportunity to work with some very talented, special women.  We were tasked with creating an event for women of our church.

That might sound like a simple thing to do, but it isn't.  When you bring women together, all with different backgrounds, lives, likes and dislikes, there is going to be various preferences.

This group certainly went through a time of learning how to communicate with each other and a time of learning respect for each other's differences.

Through all of the ups and downs, big ideas and realistic planning, the event came and went.  I would say it was a huge success.  The feedback was great from those who attended.  But that wasn't what made it a success to me.  Those planning it, who had never worked together before on a project of this size, made it through with smiles on their faces. 

We were all glad it was over because of the energy it takes to put on an event of this size.  But I bet each of the ladies would say it was a joy to plan.

Through the planning of this event, I felt a change in my own heart. 

I haven't always had patience with young people.  I haven't ever found myself wanting to be around younger people.  The lack of maturity that some young people exhibit has always been difficult for me to accept and spend time around. 

This event solidified a change in me.  For the past year, I found myself wanting to reach out to the younger ladies in our church.  On occasion, I would send them an email to encourage them or just pray for them as I thought about them at random times. 

Being around this spectacular group of young women made me care even more for the young ladies of our church.  While I never shared this with them, I could see myself in so much of them.  Whether it was juggling work and home or school and work, I could identify with where they were at in life. 

I kick myself for not sharing this with them, but hearing them talk about life was the first time ever in our church when I felt like my life experiences could have prepared me to walk with anyone through anything.

Despite trying to fight it, I believe God laid that age group of women on my heart.  I find myself wanting to encourage them or pray for them.  If you know me well at all, you know that's not like me.

There really isn't a need or place for me to do anything with this, especially in our church.  Our church is great with supporting this age group with a list of women who want to walk with this age group.  So, I'll sit silently cheering them on and praying for them as I randomly hear of their various needs.