Last Wednesday night, I had the joy (and holy privilege!) of sharing a message with over fifty beautiful women in our Bible study group about being Balcony Women \u2014 those who cheer others on, lift them higher, and speak life when the world shouts criticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You could feel the encouragement in the air \u2014 the kind that fills a room with laughter, nodding heads, and a few tearful smiles. We talked about balcony people, those who stand above the chaos, calling out the good in others, and basement people, who drag others down with negativity. Let\u2019s just say, by the end of the night, we all agreed: we\u2019re moving upstairs!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I shared stories from my own life \u2014 my daughter\u2019s Post-It notes that declared \u201cExpect a Miracle!\u201d during tough financial days, and the Starbucks chat where my granddaughter, Alexia, longed for love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her loving Tawn Tawn (former Miss America, Shawntel Smith Wuerch — my bonus daughter) encouraged her with Scripture \u2014 and wouldn\u2019t you know, God had the perfect plan brewing. That girl\u2019s now living her answered prayer, married to a godly man we all adore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We also looked at the encouragers of Scripture \u2014 Jeremiah, Paul, and Solomon \u2014 who all understood that weary hearts need a kind word, a prayer, a friend. God designed us for this! As women, we were built with helper hearts and balcony spirits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our evening ended in the most beautiful way. We gathered in one big, loving circle to thank God for our leader, Anita McGinnis \u2014 a true balcony woman who week after week strengthens and uplifts us all. Tears flowed, laughter bubbled, and faith rose higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s what I learned (again): the world doesn\u2019t need perfect women. It needs present women. Women who show up, speak life, and refuse to stay in the basement of discouragement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, friends (men included) let\u2019s keep climbing those balcony stairs. There\u2019s a great view from up here \u2014 and someone below needs to hear you shouting, \u201cYou\u2019ve got this!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be balcony people — the kind who lifts, cheers, and speaks life. The world has enough critics. Let\u2019s be encouragers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
#BalconyWomen #BalconyMen #FaithInAction<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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