Hard Pressed

I have felt hard pressed lately. Overwhelmed. Sinking. Don't really know why other than I bottle it and try to hold it all together. Sometimes I wonder why the Lord made me such a bleeding heart for people. I love to get someone talking and just listen. The shocker is always when the listening turns to talking that leads to healing for me as well.  Frustrating for me to be vulnerable with so many of the great friends I am blessed to have, but so freeing. After today, I'm less overwhelmed and more relieved to be reminded that none of us have it all together. Thankful that people accept me even when I don't. Blessed when others choose to share with me about their life, what they have come through, and where they are now. I'm blessed by the real answers. Not the fake ones we coin and practice to keep the act going. I love when people are real enough to just be themselves and not feel the need to put on a front. I have great friends whether it is from childhood, past or present and I really would not be strong without them. They teach me so much about the beauty of life and friendship. They remind me to be brave but never fake. We were put here to live life together and thankfully I feel like I am getting to do that. I had a sweet friend take me for a long overdue coke run tonight and she will always be special because there's not an ounce of faking happy in her body. She loves pure honesty, raw laughter and the truth. There are so many others that come to my mind right now and I just smile.  I'm just blessed by others and hopefully somehow along the way I want to bless them for blessing me. To bring joy and laughter and clarity into their day just like they did for me.....without even knowing it. These are the people who push me and remind me that I have to give more than I take because others need that.
Ephesians 3:20