I Need you to Check on Me

This is exactly what I told my team 3 weeks ago at the Cozy Convos Retreat. Allow me to paint the picture.  The I Am Restored women's retreat was beyond amazing.. no, really it was. One of our prayers was that God would meet every person where we were. And He did just that!  So, where was I? I was in a place of asking friends to pray for me, telling folks that I AM NOT SUPERWOMAN, telling friends (most of the time) when I was tired etc (things that I wasn't doing just 2 years ago). But, I had not truly realized how much additional support I needed and that I needed to share something, in particular, with the team.  Had I ever told my team that I need them to check on me? No. I had asked for prayer but never that, even though I'd been meaning to tell them for a while. I guess I didn't think I needed to because I had other people I could call, I thought they were already doing so much, also some of the people on the team consider me to be a mentor and I guess didn't want my mentees to feel a burden. And I thought "I'm the mentor. They're not supposed to worry about me." So back to the retreat. It was Saturday evening and I began to feel not so great. It wasn't feeling ill, I was just in a weird space where thoughts were getting negative. So I distanced myself to go and pray. I hadn't eaten that day, I hadn't stopped and the enemy tried to get my thoughts. I ACTUALLY FELT ALONE. YEP, ALONE. I had heard people say that before. But it's crazy, I was around so many awesome people and felt alone. I knew I wasn't, but this is how I felt. I realized that I needed to be checked on. So that evening I pulled a friend to the side and told her I needed to confess something to her. And I shared this. She was surprised and said she couldn't tell because she can normally tell when something is wrong and agreed to check on me. So that night while prepping for the next day I knew God was telling me to confess to my team. So, during our morning meeting I asked everyone to share how they were feeling about the retreat. Everyone shared amazing things and then it was my turn. I told them that Saturday was rough. Not all day but a few hours in the evening. I shared that I hadn't stopped, hadn't eaten. I shared that this journey (walking in faith, leaving job and doing things I've never done ) can sometimes be scary and I'm so glad that they are with me on this journey. And then said "I NEED YOU TO CHECK ON ME." Yep, I had to be honest with them. Mentees and all. As soon as my team heard me, they took charge, sat me in a chair, and they PRAYED OVER ME. I was so grateful. I began to cry. After that, one of the members mentioned when Moses was tired and had his people there to hold him up (Exodus 17:12). And yall, my team literally did this for me (I put up my arms and they held them) and this was the moment of true breakdown. We then ended in a big hug and then something (i will keep secret among the group) led to much laughter!  I am thankful that God led me to tell the team who immediately moved. YES, LEADERS NEED HELP TOO. WE DON'T HAVE TO PRETEND. I am trying to stop this superwoman /superman complex stuff. Vulnerability and honesty are good things. I'm taking off the cape and mask. - TO MY LEADERS, STRONG PEOPLE (or you at least those who think you are ), those who are in front of the scenes a lot, those who have schedules that are full - PLEASE give your teams and those around you PERMISSION to CHECK on YOU. "can I run this by you" "hey, I need you to pray for me ". "Hey, lets Postpone that meeting" "Hey I need some help"  -I CHALLENGE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THIS TODAY. Ecclesiasties 4:9-10 9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! TO THOSE WHO WORK WITH THESE TYPES of folks mentioned above - please check on them even if they seem ok. (Btw you may fit in both categories ) TO EVERYONE - please invite and give a few people permission to check on you and Please check on those around you.  Eccl 4 9-10 Questions you can ask: "How are your thoughts?" "How have you really been?" "How can I pray for you?" What can I do for you right now" ‪#‎CannotDoLifeAlone‬ ‪#‎BeBoldandConfidentinTheLord‬ ‪#‎cozyconvos‬ ‪#‎drgspeaks‬ ‪#‎IneedYouToCheckOnMe‬ © Dr. Kristen Guillory and Kristenguillory.com, 2020. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Dr. Kristen Guillory and kristenguillory.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.