I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the quiet burdens women carry, especially at midlife when the demands on our emotional, mental, and physical strength can come from multiple directions all at once.

I mentioned in a recent newsletter that I’ve been in a period of intense mothering on top of everything else. It has taken so much of my emotional and mental energy in recent months. We are all fine, but it has been draining.

During this time, there has really been no one to talk with about it.

Sometimes you can’t discuss a situation because it would betray the confidence of another person. Other times there simply isn’t anyone appropriate to turn to.

It’s very isolating when you realize there is no one at church you can talk to. Sometimes there are no family members with whom you can comfortably share your troubles.

Maybe this isn’t your situation. Perhaps you have a trusted sibling or friend. If that is the case, then you are very blessed.

But if you don’t have someone to turn to, I simply want you to know you aren’t alone. I can’t help your situation directly, but I can tell you that you aren’t the only one carrying quiet burdens.

I also want to remind you that we have a friend in Jesus who is closer than a brother. We have the gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling us. It is easy to overlook those powerful relationships when we are forced to deal with the visible world in intense ways for an extended period of time.

But Jesus is there. The Holy Spirit is there. Always.

Sometimes remembering we aren’t truly alone is enough to sustain us and keep us going. I hope you find peace and encouragement in this truth.

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