Hear me roar

It was December, 1972 and Helen Reddy's song had risen to #1. Why do I care? you may be thinking. Well, at that time, this song became an inward mantra for me. It began, I am woman, hear me roar.

I hadn't thought of that song for decades until a few years ago when my work peers and I were asked to turn in the name of one of our favorite oldie songs for a faculty meeting activity.

Before I even had a moment to think, out popped the words - "I AM WOMAN, by Helen Reddy"

My boss looked at curiously, and I even wondered myself where that came from. I didn't give it much more thought and the faculty activity never came to fruition.

Nevertheless, a year or so later when I was again asked for a song from my youth, I gave the same response. This time I decided to look up the lyrics, some of which surprised me. Others, however, resonated from a place deep inside me.
.

You can bend but never break me
'cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Even at 19 years old, I was determined that while my life up until then had almost broken me, I would not give up! (Link to full lyrics)

Now, nearly 40 years later, the Lord has removed every single link of that chain that bound me. Bent by it's weight but never broken. He carried me up the hills when I tried to climb them on my own. He has led me through the darkness of fears and doubts.

Romans 8:28 I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.

Give me strength, Lord
as You soothe my wounds
and I face life's current challenges