I messaged a friend the other day, that I used to be in a Sunday School class of dynamic, God-fearing women. When anyone shared something that they felt was God pulling them in one direction to start a new direction or ministry or make a life change the rest of us would gather in a circle and pray over her. I remember being on my knees on the carpet, all of us new moms in our dresses and heels, laying hands on a sister.  

It was so beautiful.  

It has been so long since I had that and I miss it. 

I reached out to my cousin in a message as well. “This year I just want to hold hands with someone and pray over our business and being a writer and being a good mom and a good wife. I want someone to sit down with me over coffee and take my hand and say, “please tell me what’s going on in your life, not because I want to tell everyone else about it, just because I care.” 

“YES!” she agrees. 

So I sit. And I think. Lord, surely I am not the only one that needs this. That misses this. That wants to share your heart while sharing our own. To break bread and wipe tears and laugh uncontrollably knowing our secrets, goals, and dreams are safe with them. 

Mind goes into overdrive… as usual. Is this something I’m to create? I start thinking lean-in-lunch hours, and how to’s and think that surely, if God can bring me five rolls of toilet paper, he can bring this mini-vision that I have of breaking bread with women, encouraging women, and sharing our goals to fruition. 

And then I stumble upon a journal entry from earlier in the year. One in which I’d written down one very quiet whisper straight into my heart. Don’t worry about speaking to the masses. Encourage the broken few. 

Heard, loud and clear. 

Maybe it’s not so much about God bringing me friends as it is about me being a friend to others. 

Maybe there are many women out there who want the same thing, and they’re all just waiting for someone to reach out.  And maybe it doesn’t start with a grandiose idea of creating a movement all across the nation. Maybe it starts with one woman, taking another woman’s hand and saying, “please tell me what’s going on in your life, not because I want to tell everyone else about it, just because I care.” 

Not five minutes later, I messaged a dear friend that God brought to mind to ask her, “How are you? How can I encourage you today?”  

Her reply back began with a breath of thankfulness, and an evening-long conversation that I can just tell has been waiting to pour out. For both of us. It was just what both of our hearts needed – the support and love of a friend.   

But what does that have to do with hearing God’s heart, and walking away from the world’s noise? 

The world’s noise would have me starting some new project, while the quiet beating of God’s heart says, “Just be a friend to one.” To Him, taking the hand of just one that He sends you is better than taking the hands of dozens He didn’t.  

How can I encourage you so we can turn down the noise and hear His heart today?  

Cheering For You,

 ~ Karen