And who knows but that you have come to this royal position for such a time as this?
If you ever read the book of Esther, you know this verse (Esther 4:14). Esther is your stereo typical rags to riches Cinderella story – a commoner who steps into the Queen’s shoes. Raised by her single uncle, she’s chosen due to her beauty (don’t even get me started on the ancient selection process) to be Queen above all the other women in the ancient kingdom. For the first few chapters, life is good for Esther…until it’s not. Her uncle informs her of a wicked plan to wipe out the Jews. The King doesn’t realize what that plan would mean for Esther and for her people. The future of the Jewish community is literally on her shoulders. In a heated moment, her uncle pleads with her, “And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a times as this?” In the end, Esther does save her people. Despite her fear and intimidation, she acts anyway, she intervenes and justice is served.
A month ago, I found out my job of 13 years is ending. Things were going good until they weren’t. I don’t know what my professional plans will look like moving forward. However, one thing that has been on my heart is to spend time encouraging women. I can literally close my eyes and envision your faces, faces of real-life women. My Rockstar female colleagues working their butts off and still feeling like they aren’t enough. I see you and I’ve been there. My friends balancing work and parenting, trying to ignore the sneaking suspicion that they are missing the mark in both roles (you are hitting the target, YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!!). I’ve been there. Neighbors ladies cruising by with a stressed half-smile on their face. They’re Monica “breezy” and panicked at the same time (if you don’t get that reference, I may not be your blogger). They are put-together and on the fringe of falling apart. I hear their inner voice, “send help and wine!” I see the school moms peeling out of the elementary school parking lot to the next thing on their to-do list. They are closing a deal over the phone, creating their must do list for work, submitting an online grocery order and handing a snack to a live human buckled into a car seat directly behind them. I saw a woman today at Costco pushing a cart with two kiddos. She was talking someone off the parenting ledge. She was simultaneously content and so lonely. I see my friends longing to be a mom and everything that goes with motherhood. I also see them wondering if they are enough of a contribution to the world without the “mom” title (YOU ARE, we need your exact gifts and talents). I see your faces and I want to send love and encouragement to you. I want you to know that I’m proud of you. I want to tell each of you that YOU ARE enough. I want you to know that I see you trying so hard. I see you give so much to so many people. I want to encourage you wherever you are right now.
You are enough. You were made on purpose. You are doing great work in the workplace, in the community and at home. You are worthy of hustle and success. You are also worthy of rest. You deserve to be pampered and invested into. You deserve encouragement. You’re trying your best and I notice it.
In this time of transition for me. I’ve made the decision to take advantage of “such a time as this.” While I don’t know what’s next, I do know that God is tugging on my heart to serve you – to EncourageHer. Over the past few years, I started writing love letters to myself. They turned into love letters to you. It’s helped me to process my own feelings and emotions. It’s been a gift that I’ve given myself. But I know now, that in such a time as this, it’s time to share my heart with you. I write to you because you represent me. I am you – you are me. I’m all those things I’ve described. I’m trying to do it all. I’m a woman – mom – wife – sister – daughter – business professional and child of God. I know the feeling of sincere pride in who I am. I also know the feeling of shame. I know that I’m enough and I remember the times I couldn’t remember if I was anything. I also feel that the tools and resources I’ve harnessed are tools that everyone of us should be leveraging. Over time, I want to share my heart with you and I want to share the tools with you that have served me well over the years.
I also want to use this platform to challenge us as a community of women to find time to serve and encourage each other. If I learned anything in the last few years, I learned that as women, we need to be intentional about this. I want to start today. There are a group of women that in the hardest times, encouraged me. I’ve learned from you how meaningful that is.
I also want to encourage the men reading this. I can’t speak to your experience but I know you feel the same way. You may never express it but you feel it. And if you aren’t into feeling your feelings, it doesn’t mean this isn’t for you. You likely have a mom, sister, wife/girlfriend, daughter, friend, coworker, team member that you can encourage. You can EncourageHer. You can see and acknowledge what she brings to your family, friend group, work environment while holding down the freaking fort at home.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more on this blog. I’m terrified to do this work. It’s scary. It’s vulnerable work. Having said that, I feel that this work is an act of spiritual obedience for me. What do I need to do right now? I need to EncourageHer.
Because who knows, I’m in this position for such a time as this! Are you?
Elena, this is amazing and I look forward to hearing more from you! You have a gift and all of us will benefit from your work!
Thanks Anne for reading, I’m so glad you stopped by!
Thank you for the wonderful perspective. I grew up in a family with brothers and sisters, and each of us were taught there were no “guys-only” or “girls-only” work. In fact, one of my brother’s responded to a request to wash dishes after dinner one night, and he said, “that’s a girl’s job.” From that moment on, my mother and father made the boys do “girls’ work” and the girls to “boys’ work.” My sisters grew up to be strong-willed women steeled in the concept of hard work, and yet, they didn’t always get the breaks or promotions as my brothers and me. I’ve seen it in my 30 years working in public education. And, this past pandemic year was another eye opener in how incredibly hard our school nurses worked while juggling a newborn, sick parents, and families. They worked beyond their union contract hours well into the night and on weekends. They worried, cried, got angry and felt all the anxieties of the unknown. I did the same, and never once felt like I couldn’t break down and share with my female (and male) colleagues my vulnerabilities. Physically we are molded different, but in the eyes of the Lord, we are servants and are called together to help others. As a male, I will EncourageHer along with my family and co-workers of sisters and brothers. Keep the faith.
Oh my gosh Rick, I love your heart! Thanks for stopping by and sharing some of your story. P.S. I think I love your parents!!!
Wow Elena!! This is so amazing. I have been struggling for awhile and your words have touched my heart. I look forward to reading more and hope that your words will continue to realize I am enough!!💜
Oh my gosh Pam, I’m so glad that this was for you. You are such a beautiful person and step-in-mom for so many of us. You have allowed hundreds, if not thousands of moms to “go to work” knowing that our cherished children are in your hands safe and loved. You can only do that because you are uniquely gifted in that area, and you’re totally enough!!!
I loved this post and am leaving feeling so encouraged and excited to read more and more. I have learned so much from you already and am excited for whatever you are willing to share! Thanks for this work!!!
Thanks Leah, Love you!
Hi Elena,
We don’t formally know each other… But I work for Tim Gamrath and Josh Beck (fr’s for Thrivent) as their OP. I read your last week’s message to the rfo and actually printed it to keep – it was very powerful. Tim just sent me your recent blog post and it embarrassingly… brought me to tears. As woman to woman, although my job/title is no where as awesome as yours is… we as women can feel the same level those nasty self doubting feelings. Trying so hard to juggle it all, be great at it all, make sure everyone’s proverbial cup is full. Every appt is prepped to perfection, every follow up is met, everyone feels encouraged… I could go on….. don’t even get me started on my adult and teen age children! But sometimes we need someone or something to cheer us on! I pray this blog takes you places you never dreamed and this new chapter will fill your cup and cheer you on as much as you are going to cheer us women (and maybe men) along! Cheers! Get’em girl!
Thanks so much Shannon for responding. You can throw titles out the window, I’m a testament to the fact that titles can change in a moments notice. The most important title is “Child of God.” He made you and I exactly how he wanted us, with unique gifts and abilities. God has put that on my heart because I know how often I’ve doubted that because of the messages the world sends me. Let’s link arms and claim that together!
I love it Elena. You are definitely on to something, follow your heart and you will be wildly successful.
Thank you Brenda, hope you are well!
So beautifully written and many of your feelings and emotions seem to fit right into my own struggles. I am so sorry to hear about your loss of employment.
Thanks for your thoughts and encouragement Jennifer!
You go girl! So excited to read this. I truly believe you will continue to do great things and change people’s lives. Thanks for all you do. God’s blessings an all he has in store for you.
Joan, thanks so much for your encouragement!
Love!
Thanks for stopping by Heather!
I am both grateful and without words for such an extremely powerful message as this. My words are her words and in a deep and personal way she speaks to both who I am and once was as she is me and we are the same. As women, we need to stay strong and continue our purpose in the face of adversity and change. It’s in “the knowing” that gives solace and our collective experiences that unites and empowers us! Thank you
Paula, thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts. I love your comment, “our collective experiences that unites and empowers us!”
Thank you Paula for your thoughtful response on uniting and empowering us!
I will enjoy your thoughts and encouragement and use them as motivation.
Thanks for stopping by Diane!
I love this Elena and I look forward to sharing your journey! You are a remarkable lady! ❤️
This Kris, right back at you!
I love the message. You will be awesome at encouraging others!
Thank you Lisa for stopping by – and your encouragement!
This is so beautiful sweet friend! Thank you for all of it!
Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Elena, what a great blog and a powerful and understanding perspective. As someone who has gone through my share of “title changes” over the years, I completely understand where you’re at. I remember during one lay-off you were an amazing help — encouraging me to look at different skill sets and seeing the whole me, not just what I had done in school. The results opened up a whole new outlook for me, and now I’m in such a better position professionally and personally. You instill confidence and reassure the people you coach and encourage. Whatever this transition brings for you, I know you’ll be so successful at it, for it’s always been you, and not the title, that is the most wonderful treasure you have to give the world! As Dr. Seuss says, “Oh the places you’ll go!” Sending love, prayers, and oodles of excitement your way…
Paula, thank you so much for your sweet and supportive words. Love you lady!
Keep going, Elena! Rooting for you and supporting you 100%.
Thanks Brad!!! I’m so glad our paths crossed!
Elena! Thank you for publicly acknowledging the struggle and the hussle. I just heard a story from a friend today about workplace discrimination and harassment. It reminded me we still have a great deal of work to do. Thank you for this meaningful contribution to making more women feel seen, heard and valued. What a woman!
Thanks for reading Jaclyn, I totally agree. We do have a ton of work to do. Love your heart for people!
Yes!! You are on the right track here, and I’m bookmarking, following, and doing all the things to make sure I’m seeing what comes next from you, Elena! From one woman to another who went through unexpected job loss in the last year, this bump in the road seemed like such a disaster at first, but it is turning out to be the biggest opportunity for growth. I’m rooting for you! ☺️
Thanks for the encouragement Melissa and for following and continuing to check in.
Awesome Elena! Keep up the great work!
Thanks!