As April showers subside, May flowers begin to appear. These are the signs of the time when we finally get to bid farewell to winter and say hello to spring. The dry grass begins to come back to life and spring-cleaning commences with window washing and closet cleanouts. Sounds like fun, right? I am constantly trying to purge my wardrobe and pass along articles of clothing that I don’t wear anymore so I can have an excuse to find the next item to enjoy. I just love to scour the racks of my local resale shops.
We typically gather clothing and shoes for donations. However, I’ve recently learned that one particular article of clothing is often overlooked in our drawers when we donate our clothes: bras. These garments are the least donated and most needed by women everywhere according to I Support The Girls. This organization led by Dana Marlowe works to provide bras for homeless women and domestic violence survivors worldwide. Since 2015, she has provided a “more healthy and dignified lifestyle” for more than 180,000 women and girls by donating more than 350,000 bras! Visit there website for more information at http://isupportthegirls.org.
This work has supplied a natural support that is key for a woman’s self esteem and our infertility journey also requires support. Spring brings celebrations that reveal the need for the emotional support that we sometimes go without. Graduations, Baby and Bridal Showers, and of course, Mother’s Day. It is a blessing when others, like Dana Marlowe, see a need. But, I urge you to recognize the need within yourself and seek support.
On my darkest days on this journey, I searched for an understanding word from someone who had walked in my shoes. I would pull out my devices and begin my search with words like, infertility, fertility, and barreness. I went from site to site trying to find the answers I desperately needed. I am thankful that every search yielded encouragement that gave me the strength I lacked. I ordered books, downloaded mp3s, watched YouTube videos, and read blogs. It was refreshing to learn about the journey of others as it validated some of the things I was experiencing and connected me to others when I felt most alone.
The Bible instructs us in the same manner. Hebrew 10:23-25 admonishes us to persevere in our faith. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
We can benefit from assembling ourselves together as we hold onto hope. It is so helpful to be reminded that God is faithful and to hear that He never fails. Last year, my Mother’s Day celebration included a gathering of women to celebrate sisterhood and the children to come. I couldn’t have enjoyed that type of fellowship without their support. Please consider gathering together with others who traverse these rough roads. Your gathering may be an intentional celebration of Mother’s Day or you may decide to attend a local Support Group session. Reach out to others in whatever way feels right to you. I pray that in those assemblies you find the encouragement you need to continue on your journey. You may even make a few new friends who love to shop.
Hope-Filled Thought: There are others I can strengthen and others who can strengthen me on the journey of infertility. I am NOT alone!
Prayer: Thank you Lord that you desire for all of us to be connected. Open my heart to the blessing of gathering with fellow believers as I grow in you. I receive your love and I willingly share it with others and it is so. Amen.
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