Louise

I got a sad phone call last Wednesday.
My friend Louise is gone.
She slipped peacefully from this part of life to the part where she gets to walk with her Saviour face-to-face.
I am happy for her.
But I am sad for me.

Louise was a dear friend and mentor to me. Our relationship is a bit unusual. She was old enough to be my grandmother but we went out for breakfast every week.
When I was in Jr. High she snatched me up and began to "culture" me. I must have needed it because she took me to all kinds of plays and musicals to help me develop a taste for the arts. She also began giving me books. The first book she ever gave me was "The Diary of Anne Frank" and then she took me to see the play at a local synagogue. It was a night I will never forget.
Louise gets the credit for my love of Classic Literature. She rarely came to see me without another book under her arm for my growing library. Most of the books on my shelf are from her. She loved a good story that was well written and called herself "The Literary Evangelist". An appropriate title as I am one of her many converts impacted by her love for reading.
She was one of the most vibrant people I have ever met.
I always got an ear-full of encouragement whenever we spoke.
"God's got big plans for you Rachel."
She believed in Chris and I and our dreams. She really thought we had something to offer. Words that every seminary-wife and new mom needs to hear. She had the gift of encouragement oozing out of every pore.

I almost wrote about her earlier. But I didn't take the time.
I hope she knew how she impacted me. I know I told her. But it never seems like enough when you just want that one last chance to say it.
"I love you"
"You changed my life"
"You're so special."
"Thank You."

I am so grateful that God gave me her friendship. I have been so blessed.

Silly John

Time with Linda

I got a phone call from my friend Linda the other day.
"I have a beautiful tree in my backyard. Why don't you and John come down for some pictures?!"
So here we are.
It was a beautiful fall day, suprisingly warm and sunny. John and I walked the block to her home and were greeted with a warm smile and a hug.
It was really such a simple thing, just us, a camera and some trees. But it meant so much more to me.
Do you ever have those days where you feel that you are "going it alone"? You feel surrounded by problems that are bigger than you and it makes you feel isolated.
And then, God reminds you that you are not alone. He gives us His people and loves us through them.
Linda is one of those people that is overflowing with the love of Christ. You can see it in her countenance and hear it in her voice. I have never had an interaction with her that didn't leave me encouraged. I'm not sure she even knows the depth of her own ministry...it's just who she is.

Do you have people in your life like this?
God has blessed my life abundantly with people who love Him and share His love with me. He brings them to me when I feel most discouraged. And then I am reminded, we are the Body of Christ. We are one in Him and because of Him we don't walk through this life alone.