Black Women Have It Going On

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:4-5 (NLT)

Guess what! It’s finally snowing! After waiting for what felt like forever, we finally have a beautiful dusting of snow on the ground. I’m crossing my fingers for a little more over the weekend, but for now, I am sitting with a grateful heart, just taking in the quiet beauty of it all.

As the snow settles, it’s giving me a moment to settle my own thoughts. Lately, my heart has been heavy for my friend. We talk every day, and while I love our connection, I’m starting to realize that for two women in our stage of life, “daily” might be more than we can sustain—especially when our conversations leave me feeling drained.

She has so much on her plate, including the heartbreaking search for her missing son. I actually managed to locate him using genealogy, but she’s been in denial about where he is or who he’s with. We spent over an hour going back and forth about whether he’s even alive, and it wasn’t until we hung up that the realization hit me: I’ve been using her problems as a way to avoid working on my own life.

I care for her, but I can’t fix her family dynamics or her relationship with her sons—that is “their little red wagon” to pull. I’ve spent so much time rowing her boat that I haven’t noticed my own is starting to feel a bit unsteady. At the end of the day, I am the only person I can truly take care of, and right now, I need to focus on getting myself back on solid ground.

Today, I’m choosing to be like the snow—still, quiet, and present—so I can finally tend to the things in my own life that need attention. Let’s pray!

A Prayer for Peace and Boundaries

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of this snow and the reminder to slow down. Lord, I lift up my friend to You. You know the pain of her missing son and the strain in her family. I ask that You would be the one to guide her, protect her son, and bring truth into her heart.

Lord, help me to see where my helpfulness has become a distraction from the life You’ve given me to lead. Give me the wisdom to set healthy boundaries and the courage to focus on my own well-being. Strengthen me where I feel weak, and help me to trust that You are capable of carrying her burdens without me needing to take them on as my own. In Jesus’ name, Amen.