After the retreat last weekend, I’m on a high. A huge, happy, overwhelmed high. So many wonderful memories, so many new friends, so many happy moments that have bonded me to my sisters in Christ. I’m so excited about the opportunity to get to know these women better over the coming months, and to build into one another’s lives.
Today, I am grateful for my friends. For the ones who have known me and the ones I have yet to know. For the ones who have shared in my past and the ones who will build my future. At the risk of sounding too sappy and too serious, I’m going to share some thoughts that came via a long-time friend of mine. I don’t forward these types of emails, but I happened to save this one, thinking it might come in handy for the blog someday. Well, today is someday. I hope you enjoy its truth and humor. And to those of you who have been any one of these friends to me, I say a sincere “thank you.”
When I was little,
I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then IÂ became a woman.
I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.
One friend is needed when you’re going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you’re going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities.
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, ‘Let’s cry together,’
Another , ‘Let’s fight together,’
Another , ‘Let’s walk away together.’
One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.
But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself……
Those are your best friends.
It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it’s wrapped up in several.
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
a couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbour,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.
So whether they’ve been your friend for 20 minutes or 20 years,
AND ONLY IF YOU’ D LIKE TO,
Pass this on to the women that God has placed in your life
To make a difference.