Your Story Matters

I sat in the middle of my bedroom floor with the big purple bin I've lugged around for 20 years.  It's full of memorabilia, pictures, and letters.  Those letters captured my attention this weekend.  I read letters as old as 25 years, and others as new as a year.  While reading through all of the cards and letters, I had a moment where I realized that all of these gifts were a result of God connecting hearts to encourage one another. 

Most authors of the notes sent multiple notes.  Sometimes, the letters were in return for a note I had sent to them.  This was a wonderful reminder from God.  An answer to prayer.  Years later, I am still receiving encouragement from these very notes.  They are fueling my heart to continue to do what I know God has called me to do - encourage others.  I believe I am an encourager.  I love to encourage people.  When asked to describe my perfect job, I've always said it would be a position that allowed me to help someone else shine, and I truly mean that.

The thing is, as an encourager, sometimes your cup can run dry.  Every now and then, a whispered word of hope to someone like me can be life giving.  Hearing that our words helped someone else overcome, well, that gives us the ability to offer words of hope and restoration to others.  Last weekend, I had the privilege of being invited to a bridal shower for a girl I babysat many years ago.  I felt so honored to be a guest and to be able to shower her with blessings for her future.  In return, my cup was full.  The verse Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 was a reminder to me "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.  For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

God never meant for us to live this life in solitude.  Look, I am an introvert, and I LOVE my solitude.  I love quiet, and I need retreat from the demands of life often.  But, I know that God desires for me to step out of that comfort zone sometimes and invite others into my space.  Come into my home and talk or pray.  Come with me to shop or to lunch.  God desires for me to be a friend, to use the gift of encouragement that He's given me.  

Reading through those letters this weekend gave me a reminder that I matter.  My story matters.  YOU matter. YOUR story matters.  It can often feel so minuscule in the grand scheme of life, but you really do have a story, and it really does need to be heard.  

What has God written on your heart?  What is your story?  Join with me, and let's step out of the boat and walk with Jesus to see where He leads our story.  Be encouraged friend, you are not alone.

Mighty Moms

Four months after my second son was born, my oldest son started getting sick.  First he had what seemed like a cold, then pink eye, and then he couldn't walk.  Three hospitals and two weeks later, he was admitted into Texas Children's Hospital in Houston.  He was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome.  It was is so rare in children, that our physician said they usually only see one case every other month in the whole hospital.

This is 4 months post-partum.  4 months after raging hormones made it hard for me to transition from one to two children, though no one would know.  4 months and my own body started turning on me, like the woman with the issue of blood.  I fell into a pit of despair, while putting on the happy face for anyone I encountered.  The depression overwhelmed me and I felt really alone.  Not only that, but I couldn't imagine opening up to ANYONE about the depths of depression going on inside of me.  

It wasn't until 2 years later that God would lead a few women into my life for a season of healing.  I rarely get to see these women anymore, but they were instrumental in helping me understand that I was "normal".  That it was okay to talk about what I was feeling, and it was okay to talk to my doctor about it, too.  These were breakthrough moments for me.  I finally felt like I could see the light of the day.  I count myself blessed to have had mighty women around me to help me realize that I counted, I mattered, and that motherhood didn't change my value.

What if we all joined together, to link arms and hold up our sisters in their weaknesses?  What if, instead of hiding behind the changes our bodies, minds, and spirits go through during motherhood, we had women who have been there to hold our hands through it all?  What if, we see our sisters with littles and reach out a hand to help every now and then?  

On April 1st, our brave Five Minute Friday leader, Lisa-Jo Baker is due to deliver a new baby.  This baby is different though.  Her first book, "Surprised By Motherhood", will hit book stores and Amazon.  Might I encourage you to buy one of these books as your encouragement in motherhood?  Or, maybe you know a mom who could use a hand to hold while she navigates the waters of learning that they are mighty because they mother.       

Linking up again with Lisa-Jo Baker for Five Minute Friday.  We write brave for 5 minutes, without edits or backtracking or second guessing ourselves.  Then, we link up at Lisa-Jo's blog and encourage our hearts out to our sisters around us.  Please join us.  You'll be glad you did!

Sharpen, Stretch and Strengthen: People God Uses to Grow You

I have never been known as a "Type A" person.  Almost every personality test, and even friends, will tell you that I'm laid back, easy going, green/phlegmatic, and I am an Introverted, Sensing, Feeling, Perceiving (ISFP) person.  I've never been comfortable being the one in charge, though I have done that.  And, though it would seem opposite of my personality, I am comfortable speaking in front of a large group (if I know my subject). 

All of my closest friends throughout life have typically been complete opposite of me, except for one, and she is almost identical to me.  For my life, I think God orchestrates for these strong Type A personalities to be in my life for two reasons.  

First, "iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."  We all need each other in order to grow as people, but also to grow in Him.  I can't do the same things my bold, outgoing, extroverted friends do.  They are driven to do.  In the same vein, they can't do what the easy going, laid back people do either.  I have one friend who has a successful business.  When I think of her life, I get anxiety.  She works hard, and is driven to use her talents in a way that brings income to her family.  The thought of having to meet deadlines makes me break out in a sweat.  But, sometimes, I need a little fire under me, and I know just the friend to call when I do.  I love that God puts people in my life that are opposite of me.  If nothing else, they sharpen me.

Second, God places opposites in my life as a way for me to stretch.  These people challenge me in ways that my "like-minded" friends don't.  They are not "yes" people, and are more likely to get on my nerves easily.  Sometimes, these people become my closest friends because of their ability to speak truthfully, and their ability to help me see outside the box.  Often times, these people are only in my life for a short season.  God puts them into my life, stretches my faith a little, and then we all move on to where He leads us next.

Finally, God places opposites in my life to strengthen my faith walk, or to strengthen my backbone.  I'm not weak minded, but I can sometimes be a pushover.  Usually in peacemaker mode, I tend to not rock the boat, but help keep the waters calm instead.  The people God puts in my life to strengthen me are people who don't back down very easily, have strong personalities, and are able to push me outside of my comfort zone.  

I believe it's healthy to have people in our lives who are different from us.  People who God uses to sharpen, stretch or strengthen us.  If we were all the same, it would not only be a boring place to live, we'd all be lazy and uninspiring.  I'm truly thankful for the Type A people in my life.  They bring out good things in me!

A Thankful Heart: Day 30 - For All The She's

Joining the Five Minute Friday crew again over at Lisa Jo's page.  Go check out her page and link up with us!  You'll be glad you did!  Today's word prompt is "She".

Go.

She gave birth to me and trained me up in the ways of the Lord.  She is my shoulder to cry on, my sounding board, the one who prays for me relentlessly.  She is wise, a prayer warrior, full of the love of Jesus and the peace of God.  She is my precious mom.

She was the first friend that I connected with on a deep level.  She remains one of my closest friends, though I only get to see her about 3-4 times a year.  She walks in wisdom, and I rely on her for all the details about my life.  With her, I can allow myself to be completely me without a hint of a mask.  She is Sarah.

She was one of my first friends out of high school.  I was amazed because I had never met someone so energetic and enthusiastic about anything like she was.  She was from Idaho and moved here to Texas just for bible school.  She and I took lots of fun road trips and day trips. She left an indelible mark on my life to live for Jesus with complete abandon.  She is Heather.  

She was my very first true "mommy" friend.  She is strong and fun, and has taught me to be a little stronger and have a little more fun.  She works hard and is a fantastic mom.  She continues to grow in the Lord and because of her leading a bible study group, I have met many more "she's".  She has been there for me through thick and thin.  She is Julie.

There are SO many other she's.  I wish I had another 15 minutes to write, but alas, my 5 minutes is up.  I will add a poem that I love and that was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the prompt:

She Walks In Beauty

By George Gordon Lord Byron

She walks in Beauty, like the night Of cloudless climes and starry skies; And all that's best of dark and bright Meet in her aspect and her eyes: Thus mellowed to that tender light Which Heaven to gaudy day denies. One shade the more, one ray the less, Had half impaired the nameless grace Which waves in every raven tress, Or softly lightens o'er her face; Where thoughts serenely sweet express, How pure, how dear their dwelling-place. And on that cheek, and o'er that brow, So soft, so calm, yet eloquent, The smiles that win, the tints that glow, But tell of days in goodness spent, A mind at peace with all below, A heart whose love is innocent!

A Thankful Heart: Day 19 - The Gift of Friendship

Believe it or not, the bible has a lot to say about friendships.  There are examples of friendship woven throughout the scripture, and plenty of scriptures that speak to how to be a friend.  God created us to have fellowship, and be part of one another's lives.  Indeed, he created us for Him first, to be our first friend, our everlasting friend.  

Jesus himself is our greatest example.  He had disciples, but he had three that we would probably call confidant's or closest friends.  Peter, James and John.  Flawed but forgiven. Deeply loved by Jesus himself.  They were the one's he wanted with him in his final hours of prayer before he was arrested.   

Jesus is also seen as being close to Mary, Martha and Lazarus.  John 11:5 says Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  Later, when Lazarus dies, the bible simply says "Jesus wept."  Imagine the kind of deep friendship Jesus would have with someone that their death would make him weep.  The One who creates all things is weeping over one friend in the world.  It just amazes me.

I could go on.  I love the stories of David and Jonathan and how their hearts were knit together. Ruth and Naomi, Elisha and Elijah, Moses and Joseph.  

Today I am truly thankful for the gift of friendship.  We were not meant to go through life alone or isolated.  I know there are times and seasons in every person's life where you separate yourself for renewal, but that is not meant to be a way of life.  

I am so thankful for these lovely ladies who helped celebrate my 40th birthday this weekend. My birthday, of course, was 3 weeks ago.  But, they made a point to make sure I was celebrated sufficiently, and more than sufficiently.  We started the evening out at my dear friend's house and then moved from there to a hibachi/sushi restaurant.  After that, we ended the evening at the skating rink where I busted my bum.  I'm still feeling it, but it was so worth it, and I would do it again one hundred times over if I could.  

This blessing of friendship is how I can see God's great love for me.  He knows my need and desire to be loved, and he fills it through my girlfriends (my husband, too, of course.)  I don't get the opportunity to spend a lot of time with my girls, but when I do, it's fun, life-affirming, and precious to me.  God always reminds me of his greatness, his mercy and his grace through each one of these ladies through our talks, life experiences, and laughter together.  

Father, thank you for blessing my life with each person that I call friend.  The one's in the picture above, and the one's dear to my heart.  I ask that you would bless them and keep them.  Help us all lead each other closer to you through our conversations.  Let our words be life-giving words to help exhort each other to live more fully in you.  I pray that you would meet each need of my dear sisters, whatever it may be, and let them know how loved they are.  I ask you to help me show them your great love for them.  In Jesus name, Amen!

Friend

Once again, I'm joining in on the Five Minute Friday with Lisa Jo Baker and a whole community of bloggers.  She gives us word prompt and we write for 5 minutes flat.  Go.

"Thank you for being a friend"  

"Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold"

"Friends are friends forever if the Lord is Lord of them"

"That's what friends are for"

"You've got a friend in me"

"I get by with a little help from my friends"

"Now I've found a place in this circle of friends"

These are just some of the "friend" songs that popped into my head.  You are now probably stuck singing one of them over and over.  

I am so grateful that God has given me such wonderful friends throughout my life.  Some have stayed, and some were only part of one chapter of my storybook.  Although I don't really have a "bestie", I have some really wonderful women in my life, who I love dearly, and I believe love me in return.  

Chandra (l) & Sara (r) around 1999

One of my dearest and oldest friends is Sarah Hernandez.  We've been friends for nearly 25 years.  We don't live near each other, but try to get together about once a quarter to catch up on our lives, and to get a breath of fresh air.  The value of my friendship with Sarah is priceless.  We are made from the same thread.  We grew up under the same ministry, during our teen years, and into our early twenties.  When Sarah speaks to me, she speaks truth, but she is not loud and opinionated.  She speaks with meekness and consideration, and the Holy Spirit has used her on more than one occasion to convict me, encourage me, teach me, help me, and inspire me.  Sarah has seen me at my best and at my worst.  She has lifted me up in prayer, and has walked with me through some of my worst insecurities.  

I know not everyone has a "Sarah" in their life, but, oh, I pray that God would allow everyone that.  Oh, that God would grant each of us a Jonathan and David relationship throughout our lives.  1 Samuel 18:1 says "the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul."  What a valuable treasure, to have a friend that your souls are knit together.  

I like this quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson:  "The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship."

In other words, there is true inspiration that comes when you know that your friend believes in you and is willing to trust you with their heart.

Father, I pray over my friends today.  I lift them up and ask you to bless them and keep them.  Make your face to shine upon them.  Let their countenance shine with your glory.  Be the glory and the lifter of their head.  Father, in those areas where they are weak, I pray that you make them strong.  I thank you God, that you love them greatly, and I thank you that you are providing their needs in every area of their life.  I thank you that they feel calm, rested, relaxed in the knowledge that you, Creator of all things, love them with an everlasting love.  Let them know that, and be reminded of that today.  In Jesus name, Amen!

Iron Sharpens Iron

I am so incredibly blessed to have grown up in church.  I feel even more blessed because I had awesome youth pastors!  My youth pastor, Jimmy Kirby, challenged us to learn the Word, study it, memorize scripture.  "Put the Word in you when you don't "need" it and it will be there when you do!"  Understand that we always need the word, but his point is that we go through highs and lows in life.  When you have studied and hidden the word in your heart during the high seasons, it's there for you in the low seasons.  I have found this to be so true in my life!!!  Jimmy started a discipleship class for us, and I think about a dozen or so youth signed up.  At the time we were running probably 75 strong in our youth group.  This was a lot back in 1990!  Anyway, in discipleship classes, we were asked to memorize LOTS of scripture, make sacrifices in our tv and radio time (this is a big deal for a teenager), and study the word.  One of the scriptures that mean so much to me is Proverbs 27:17 (AMP) "Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]." 

I was thinking about this all day today.  We were made to sharpen each other.  I am so thankful for my small group friends, who challenge me in the way I think and the way I approach God.  I am thankful for the women God is placing in my life to challenge me in all aspects ranging from physical, financial, spiritual, etc.  These ladies sharpen me, they make me want to strive to be better.  I miss some of the older, wiser women who once were prominent in my life.  I don't see them much anymore. 

This leads me to what I really am writing about.  One of my goals for this year is to not be lazy.  I'm not off to a great start, but I am slowly making changes.  I think in my head, I envisioned the starting line to a race and that I would take off in a blaze of glory.  Not happening.  So, keep me accountable, friends.  Sharpen me!  Give me tips for saving money, getting organized, achieving goals, being a better mommy, wife and friend.  I know you can't make it happen for me; I need to get moving and do it myself.  However, if you would just continue to encourage me to be productive, I would really appreciate the sharpening!  I'll sharpen you as well!  Love you girls!!!