Check on Your Strong Friend

Strong friend... is that a real thing? I think that we are all strong in a sense but there are times when we should be allowed to not be so strong. Life can be too much at times. Overwhelming. Complex. Ever changing. Even the smallest things can feel like big things depending on the day. And as a result, I admit... sometimes I get "in my feelings". I am naturally an encourager -- I enjoy being an encourager and take great pride in it. I try to make everyone feel special in some way. I genuinely care about people and what they're going through. I pray for others more than I even pray for myself. When I am going through a difficult time or facing some challenges, most people don't even know. When a friend calls to vent, I listen and respond no less lovingly or concerned than I would if I didn't have my own stuff going on. It matters to me how others feel. It matters to me when my loved ones are sad, hurt, or bothered. If for any reason I am ever the cause of any of those negative feelings, I want to make sure that I somehow make it right. Some people have this impression that I am so calm and relaxed or that things don't bother me and while generally speaking that is true, it is not always the case. Sometimes, I'm falling apart at the seams. Sometimes, I have so much going on in my head and my heart that I honestly cannot function like a normal person. The older I get, the more difficult it becomes to balance life and simultaneously balance my emotions. With that being said, for those who may consider me "the strong friend"... I am but I also have my limits. I have my breaking points. I have meltdowns. So if you see that I am not myself -- maybe I'm cranky, maybe I'm more quiet than usual, maybe I'm not joking and engaging -- whatever I may be that is different from the norm... Please, don't take it personal. Instead, offer me some grace. And maybe even stop to ask, "Are you ok? How can I help?" Please remember that it's important to check in on your strong friend. We don't mind holding others up, whispering prayers, being a listening ear, coming through in any way needed or giving reassurance and support by saying I love you, I'm here for you. But there are times when we need to be held up, prayed for, listened to, came through for, and to be reassured and supported by being told I love you & I'm here for you.