Friends

I am not going to make a habit of multi postings in one day, but I really wanted to share this e mail that I just recv'd.

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle.
It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him... He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.' They really should get lives.' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'
There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before.. He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends
He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.


Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!' He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..


When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship..

Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days..I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.

'Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends....


I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.'


I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the first day we met.
He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home..

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile...

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions..
With one small gesture you can change a person's life.


For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for Good in others.
'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

For such a time as this...

It seems to me that my blog is starting to take its own direction. Which is cool. Just not expected...
"For such a time as this." This is another one of the key points that I have picked up in my bible study. There is a point in the book of Esther (4:14) when Modecai tells Esther. "...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" I love that question. Which is good because it seems to be one that I cannot escape lately.
There are days where I get up for work and every part of me just wants to say, "I quit. I want to be the mommy again." But I drag my protesting self up the stairs and start my routine that gets me out the door. Then I sit at my desk and look at all the photos and art work surrounding me. I study the little figurine of Dorothy from "Wizard of Oz" and the handwritten note from my husband that hangs next to her. It reads, "This little girl sits at your desk reminding you of your quest. And when you feel lost and alone just remember, your loved ones are waiting back at home."
And I think to myself, 'For such a time as this'. I may not like the fact that I gave up being a stay at home mom sometimes, but I cannot help but think that the path of my life has led me to this job at this exact point in my life, 'for such a time as this'. And I am pretty confident that Beth Moore would agree with me when I say, "THAT, my friend... is providence"

It's tough being a woman....

These are the words that I re-examine each week at my women's bible study. (Which I should be doing right now...) When I started this series, I was curious to say the least. I have never read the book of Esther and have never done a study by Beth Moore. It has been an awesome experience and I am very much enjoying myself.
So far, I have learned that it is tough being a woman in another woman's shadow, it is tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment, it is tough being a woman in a mean world and it is tough being a woman thrown a giant sized weight.
It amazes me each week as I sit there watching the DVD's at how clearly God speaks to me through her teachings. Every week, I walk away feeling a level of renewed and refreshed that only God can give.
Yes. It is tough being a woman. And I could add so many other things to that list. But I have learned too that God has a plan and a purpose for my life, one to make me grow and prosper.