Friends far and near

I received a card in the mail that I just couldn't pass up the chance to talk about. It was from a girlfriend of mine that I truly love. She is so beautiful (she'd disagree). I love being around her and wish we lived a little closer. I used to work with her before we had kids. Now that we both have kids we have more in common and have more excuses to see each other :-).

Anyway, this card was filled with encouraging words and how thankful she was for our friendship. I sat there holding this card in my hand, staring at the words she had written in disbelief. I always place myself on the other side of the fence: in admiration of others.

I have two great new friends that have blogs, Rebecca & Tracy. Though I have never met either of them, both have impacted my life. Impacted. On the days when I am most down I pull up their blogs and feel my spirit soar. It is in Tracy's blog that I find myself marveling at this woman that God has transformed from her difficult past into a glowing flower of encouragement. One one particular occasion she decided to get up early for church and "dapple" in the kitchen to create a beautiful cheesecake. How wondrous! It is in Rebecca's blog that I find a sister to share my aspirations of being a better mother and christian. I laugh, I cry and I thank God for her. When she shares her struggles I REJOICE in sharing in the same struggles in my own life. I cannot count the lessons that He has revealed through her. Every night I sit reading their blogs. When I finish reading I sit there with my hands on top of the laptop and pray for these women thanking the Lord for them and the technology of the Internet to learn from them. I love both these women like sisters.

So I sat there staring at this card I received in utter shock, not knowing what to say or do. To have touched someone's life the way others have touched mine is remarkable to me. It is a reminder that I need to get off the pity-pot and remember who I am, a daughter of the King, witness to His goodness rather than self-glorification.

Thank you, Jennifer, I hope you read this. You sent that card to tell me how you appreciate me, but in the end, I find myself in appreciation of you.