“Women’s stories matter. They tell us who we are, they give us places to explore our problems, to try on identities and imagine happy endings. They entertain us, they divert us, they comfort us when we’re lonely or alone. Women’s stories matter. And women matter, too.” ~ Jennifer Weiner
I read many literary pieces authored by famous and not so famous women. Women have many untold stories, happy, and sad ones, too. There is a time to share those stories, and other times to be quiet. A time to work through heart matters in solitude. Inspirational writer Ann Voskamp asks in her book Be The Gift, “Are the most painful tears the kind no one can see, the kind where your soul weeps alone?” This is where God meets us, holds us, hugs us, comforts, allowing the tears to flow until no more. Empty oneself of all. In the midst of physical pain, mental anguish, sudden illness, chronic health conditions, death, wrongful accusations, troubled relationships, mean co-workers, political wars, poverty, domestic violence, or complete exhaustion, faith has to play a part to get through it.
But also, “faith has to be exercised in the midst of ordinary, down-to-earth living,” writes Elisabeth Elliot. “Faith without works is dead,” the Holy Scriptures tell us. “Faith is built out of small acts along the path of life,” Maria Shiver shares in her new book, I’ve Been Thinking … Today, what small act strengthened your faith, your belief in God and His creation? And that creation is you, too. Was it surrendering your curse words to thankfulness? Was it a smile shared with that co-worker who loathes your presence? Was faith exercised in giving your lunch money to the homeless lady sitting on the bench? How about when you wrote an encouragement letter to that relative estranged from the family? The tenth time to patiently point out a grammatical error to the simple-minded teen? Scrubbing the stains off the wall made by careless guests? Forgiving the thoughtless comment from your husband? When you forget another appointment, but reschedule and mark it on your calendar this time? The lists goes on how we exercise faith in others, God, and ourselves.
We women have stories, and faith to make the stories go on about real heart matters. …