These women gave the best of themselves for nearly twenty years, only to see their children choose to journey down the wide, destructive path. Some of my mama friends cry big tears over their prodigals. They say yes to redemption, yes to second chances, and yes to fighting hard for forever.

Marriage vows and empty promises crunch beneath their feet like broken glass. With every reason to leave, these women chose to stay. When she wins those little chronic illness battles, you better get out of the way! She uses all that pent up joy and ambition to make much of the Jesus who holds her while she suffers in the bed.Ī few of my girlfriends just walked through the darkest season of marriage. She waits for the sun to come up again tomorrow. On the days her body wins the battle, she lays in her bed and looks to Jesus. Her body fights her and she fights it right back. My friend Stacey (that’s her real name, too) struggles to get out of bed every day. If there are shadows of doubt, she doesn’t seem to acknowledge them. I’m not sure she hears the tiny voice in her head that says, “Maybe you shouldn’t because…” She has a clear view of the possibilities. She doesn’t let fear of the unknown slow her down. Ideas pop into her head and she devises a way to make it happen.

She isn’t afraid to go for it, whatever “it” is. We’ll call her Brandy (because that’s her name). We can find courage in the women we call friends, and their bravery inspires.

Another word for brave woman