We all fail our friends.  We say things we don’t mean.  We are habitually inconsiderate and rude, easily offended and hurt.  We withdraw and give up when we should pursue and work through a problem.  But this doesn’t mean we are bad people.  It means we are imperfectly human. 

Have you ever wondered if Jesus hears you?  This morning I found a desperate prayer to Jesus in my journal from January 2014.  It read,

“Jesus, I need your attention and compassion.  Will you sell our house? Will you take care of us as we try to take care of so many others?  Will you be our father?  Will you swoop in and provide for us in a miraculous way?  I need You to care for us, to take some of this weight off.  I want to have faith, but I’m so tired right now.  Tired.”

When you’re a little girl, it’s kind of cute to be a tomboy. But, as a teenager, you’re labeled strong willed and rebellious. And in my experience, people quickly slap harsh labels on women who are strong leaders. God, why did you give me this personality when you knew I’d be a girl?