Like most Moms I think I often wonder if I am doing anything to help people or anything to change the world around me. What is my purpose? I feel like I know the answer to that question when it comes to showing others what a relationship with Jesus looks like but HOW do I do it? Time and time again when I think about it, I feel like I hear God say "Be who you are. Be who I have created you to be and I will use that to draw others to me." So the only way I know to do that is by sharing myself with the world on this blog or in my relationships. That means I share the good, the bad, the ugly. Even though I have been blogging for several years now, I still get a little scared about sharing some of the stuff I do. Most people think I am crazy for doing it! Sometimes I get emails full of advice or criticism from readers but for the most part, I get tons of support because some of you have found that I struggle with things you struggle with. Hopefully, I'm a kindred spirit. And even the emails I get full of advice is also full of good intentions and people who just want to help.
Last night I was laying in bed and saw my blackberry flashing out of the corner of my eye. The flashing light alerts me that I have a new email. It was an email from my friend Nancy. She shared that when she was at church that the worship leader sang Message In A Bottle by The Police. She said she thought of me and my blog and how I put MY message out there and that it helped many like herself not to feel so alone in daily struggles. Okay, so WOW! That's how I felt! She then gave me the lyrics and a ton of encouragement and filled my cup so much that it was overflowing!! She knows I connect with music in a big way so of course I had to watch the video on YouTube. I have heard the song a million times but this time it was for ME! I could connect with it. Thank you Nancy because I really do hope someone gets my message in a bottle. :)
After watching the video and listening to the lyrics, I thought of all of you who read and comment. The ones I think about when I am praying because I know your names. I thought about how we all send out an S.O.S. hoping someone will be able to relate to us. It's sometimes hard to find life out there, you know? I remember one weekend leading worship and feeling like the crowd was dead. I wanted to shout "Is there any life out there? Anyone with me this morning?"! I feel like that a lot in this life. But the more I share who I really am with those around me, the more I see that people all around me feel what I feel. We all need love. We all need acceptance. We all need to encouragement and someone to believe in us. It's a universal need for all mankind.
But the only way to get that is to send out an S.O.S.! Let someone know what you need! Let those around you know what they can do to help you. Don't be afraid to share your struggles and show your life is not perfect. It's in those moments where God uses you to give life to others.
Send out an S.O.S. today and while you're at it, look for someone else who may be sending one out too.
We are all just castaways hoping someone will find our message in a bottle.
