Brit Mott

Writer and poet Amena Brown inspired a roomful of 360 women at the Tender Hearts Luncheon Friday, February 5 with a message called “Words Women Carry.” Sponsored by Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano and THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano, and hosted by Need Him Ministries, the annual event focuses on the physical and spiritual heart health of women. It is appropriately scheduled on National Wear Red Day, a day Americans show their support for the fight against women’s heart disease. The luncheon featured a a silent auction, tours of the Hope Center, a delicious meal, and praise and worship music provided by Jenn Peterson.

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“All women have two things in common: shoes and bags," Brown began, prompting laughter from her audience. She then compared women's bags to the everyday "baggage" women face—insecurities, lonliness, and grief, for example—and asserted that the weight of our bags is not ours to carry.

A very animated and passionate speaker, Brown revealed some of her own personal baggage, including some former insecurities about her appearance. “When I was younger, I didn’t feel like I was beautiful and I hid behind my glasses, my hair, and my baggy clothes," she said. "But as I grew older, I learned how much time and detail God put into making me, and I learned how to hide in His love."

Caralee Gurney, event planner, sponsorship chair, and Director of Development for Need Him Ministries, said, “Amena gave a powerful message about taking our 'baggage' and leaving it at the feet of Jesus. We are never given any more than we can handle, but life is a lot easier to deal with if we rest our cares on Jesus instead of depending upon ourselves to get things done.”

In its fourth year of ministering to the mind, body and spirit of women, the Tender Hearts Luncheon has grown in attendance, this year increasing nearly 100 women compared to last year. The silent auction doubled in sales this year, too.

Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Need Him Minsitries, which provides emotional support to men and women by presenting the Gospel in a safe environment via e-mail, telephone or online chat 24 hours a day. For more information, call 1.888.NEED.HIM or visit needhim.org.