She was Stronger than She Knew...

Today I had the pleasure of briefly working with a woman whose walk in life I would never want.
Her presence evoked the question "what has happened to you, who has done you wrong?"
Her reactions to normal everyday occurrences confirmed, she had been severely done wrong.
This woman was traumatized and perhaps even a bit brainwashed into thinking the worse of herself.
Someone had held captive all her dreams and wants, someone had stomped her spirit.
Trapping her in a process of feeling undeserving and incapable.
That someone or someones had done worse than just emotional damage to her.
And, it showed when approached by even a gentle strangers touch.

The steps taken to admit she needed our help had already exhausted her. But together, we worked through some strict anxiety and accomplished the clinical pieces necessary to her appointment. And, surprisingly by appointments end she seemed to carry confidence in the resolute to fix herself.

This woman is battered. Her children are battered. They have survived recent years through the help of a shelter and countless strangers. Prior to this her outlook on life was dim, her faith and strength challenged and broken by ways not even mentionable. Some people would give up or become hardened souls but not her. In everything she is given she proclaims graciousness. She takes nothing for granted. She gives with all she can which is simply an expression.

Receiving her thankfulness was quite moving. Her perception on what is guaranteed or promised in life is vastly different than most. Like the perpetual apologizer she gave thanks repeatedly for what is simply my job. what comes naturally to me. and requires no real skill. Feeling her gratitude was eye opening.

While she may have been struggling with the idea of being "worthy" of someones help, she left me struggling with the notion that I don't give thanks enough.

I want to take the time to be more thankful. More thankful of even the smallest of things.
You never know ones walk in life. You never know when an outreached hand can light up a soul or a simple "thank you" can move a mountain.

I had to share this with you all. The thoughts on that woman and the difference she made in my life are just too good to keep to myself. As much as she felt I had done her good, she has no idea the impression she is leaving on the people she meets. It's a sad story to hear of a battered woman and home. It's heartbreaking the defeat they feel and the potential for that cycle to continue. As weak as she thinks she is people like us know better. We know that she broke free and because of her relentless ways in showing appreciation for even tiniest of matters, she is undoubtedly affecting lives in ways she'll never know.

It's good for us to share stories like this and spread good!
Speaking of good, here's a little fun you can get in on!

The FAB Ms. Shanna rallied up her sponsors this month for another awesome giveaway!
Check out all the beauties participating and enter for a chance to win over $200 worth of goodies!
And don't forget to link up your goals for the month! We're all here for each other :)




Linking with Just Because, Tell Me Tuesday, Tea on Tuesdays, On Your Heart