This Imago Voice
AMY SALYERS
Hi! My name is Amy, and what I think and what I have to say are important. Worthy of hearing and consideration. At least that’s what I’d like to believe. But I get in the way. I overthink. I underthink. My mind swirls as I try to piece together streams of thought. They leave as quickly as they arrive. If I am lucky enough to actually capture any thoughts, I try to arrange them in a way that I think will sound, let’s be honest, not idiotic. But that’s exactly what happens. My faithful companion, Anxiety, likes to play too, and as I begin to speak, my mouth can’t keep up with what I want to say, and my tongue trips over the words. Or I forget what I’m even saying in the first place.
Having been a stay-at-home mom for 21 years, it feels like cobwebs hang in the corridors of my mind. It’s just not sharp anymore. Any communication and social skills that I may have had evaporated amongst the goo-goo ga-gas, dirty diapers and hanging out mostly with kiddos. I’ve been out of the workforce for just as long, and not having completed my degree or kept up with technology, I just don’t have a whole lot of confidence regarding my capabilities outside of running a home.
BUT God.
And 2020.
I never thought I’d live to see such times. Every day, I’m left speechless and in tears by the headlines. So much pain and suffering. So much hate. So many innocent victims. My heart feels like it’s bleeding out. I created for myself a safe little bubble. My family and I had been all cozied up and quarantining. My husband was able to work from home, so other than the inconvenience of remote learning, it was kind of like a long, weird sleepover. I was busying myself with baking, crafts and Netflix, pretending all was right with the world. However, George Floyd’s murder shook me out of the comfort of my white privilege. My eyes were opened. I’ve never had the courage to get involved in social justice causes, but I cannot sit in silence anymore when I have a voice.
My faith compels me out of complacency. I want to be where Jesus is. And although He has been with me in my safe little bubble, He’s made it more and more uncomfortable for me to stay there.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” When I answered, He didn’t want to come in. He wanted me to come out.
I’ve decided to take His hand and go where He’s leading. What does this mean for me? I have absolutely no idea yet. I do know it’s gonna be scary. And exciting. And probably vomit inducing for this timid gal! And that’s ok. I’m excited to see what God has in store. He has been nothing but faithful to me, and I will trust Him.
For now, I think I’ll exercise this long-neglected mind. Sweep its corridors. Spruce the place up. Maybe learn and practice some communication techniques. Read and research the many worthy causes and see where I might want to invest my time, talents and energies. I can get to know my new and wonderful Imago family! In one way or another, you all will be with me as I venture down this path, and I’m looking forward to knowing each of you when COVID restrictions ease.
So perhaps I should reintroduce myself.
Hi! My name is Amy, and what I have to think and say ARE important. Important enough to put myself in awkward and scary situations. Important enough to risk sounding like an idiot. My voice isn’t just representative of me. It’s about showing Christ’s love to humanity. My voice, my actions, I pray become His voice and actions. Then they can and will make a difference.
Amy is a mom of four and a wife of one. She loves wandering through the trees and dancing in the kitchen. She laughs till she cries, adores the LGBTQIA+ community, and makes people feel warm and welcome in her home. You can find her on her back porch enjoying impromptu family concerts or celebrating with her growing circle of friends. Her Spirit Animal is Linda from Bob’s Burgers.