Good Friday has been for a number of years, a very difficult day for me!  My heart remembers what happened on this day in approximately 33 A.D. that took a man’s life, but brought awesome change to the world that would be felt around the world for centuries - and beyond.

I’m not going there today!  Because many of us will hear the messages in church services around the world this day.

I want to go to subject matter that has been brought to me over the last several days - and it ‘fits’ with the purpose for that savage, bloody day on a hot Friday afternoon eons ago.

“Inspired!”  “Inspiration!”  Those are the words I’ve heard this week from more than one woman.  They were spoken in the context of what has transpired in the lives of women over the past months since getting connected with A Women’s Place. 

No, this is not a commercial for AWP.  It is a compliment and confirmation that the vision and mission for which we came is making an impact in women’s lives!

For too long, we as women have not risen to our full potential.  I’m not sure I know the “why”, but I know that the outcome has been women who know they have a purpose but have shelved it because no one encouraged them to do anything but shelve it.  No matter where they turned, there was no person - male or female - who said “you’re meant to do it!”

This conversation began mentally last evening when I hung up from a conference call.  I heard a story about how a woman who has become involved in the planning process for an Affiliated Women’s ™ launch in another state - has taken a business plan she developed years ago - off the shelf.

She has done so because other women said “you can do it!”  Although the words were not spoken, you could hear that excitement, renewed energy and enthusiasm now runs through this precious woman’s being.  She won’t let it languish any longer!

All we need is one person to encourage us!  One person to inspire us with words that say “don’t wait any longer” - “do it!”

We all know that the world has not always been kind to the softer gender.  We know that women have often been relegated to ‘washing the altar cloths’ & ’sweeping up the crumbs from the table’.  But it’s not something we have to continue and not something that should ever keep us from striving to achieve all we are meant to achieve!

I was thrilled to learn that the connections being made between AWP women is beginning to have the impact and outcome it was designed to have!  I was inspired to continue on and move forward and be a source of encouragement, enrichment, empowerment & inspiration.

What does this have to do with our remembrance of events so long ago on a Judean hill outside the city walls?  A man bled and died a horrible death that we might become all we were meant to be.  He gave his all that we might be our all! 

Whatever tradition or lack thereof from which you come - one has to marvel that a man would give his life for others in order to fulfill his purpose and create the possibility that we will fulfill ours!  One can’t help but be inspired by such commitment to purpose and a love that knows no bounds.

But the ugly reality of today gives way to hope and an inspired opportunity to rise above who we may have thought we were to grasp the reality of who we’ve become.  If in the 2nd half of our journey, we bring that hope and inspiration to each other - think what an impact the softer gender will have?!  On each other & on the world!

Too much to ask?  I don’t think so!

So as you go about your day and occasionally recall the events of this day long ago; be inspired and know that there are others waiting to encourage you in all you want to be - and do!

Have an awesome day.  Give and receive great love and be blessed.

Linda