As Iron sharpens Iron

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." Abraham Lincoln.

My life's path has crossed with many people who have challenged me, encouraged me, listened to me, loved me, changed me. Forever.

I think of Candi...my ywam mentor who was willing to dig deep into my heart. I have no idea where ywam's roads have taken her, as my attempts to track her down have fallen flat. But I know that because of her persistence to get me to verbally open up in certain arenas, my heart still remains free in those places.

I remember the mass of high school youth group leaders who DEVOTED their lives to the betterment of mine. Who went to my track meets, listened to broken hearts over relationships gone wrong, endured bouts of immaturity because they could see gold was coming. Who not only lent me their ear for a season, but their friendship for a LIFEtime. Julie, Lisa, Curtis, Randy, Roger, Dawn, Gail, Brenden, Shaundra, Janice...

I think of all the MANY friends from college and ywam who inspired me to go after God. All in very different ways...all with differing flavors that matched their personalities and reflected a part of God's...all with a heart of true interest in my life. Heather, Janna, Emily, Wendy, Stephanie, Serena, Corey, Doug, Trevor, Brian, Crystal, Miriam, Valerie, Sandy...

And the Ladies Bible Study that was the answer to my prayer for deep friendship after I left ywam. Those weekly meetings for three years fine-tuned me. In the safety of a friend's home, we discussed every topic known to man. Laughed for hours. Cried for some. Prayed each other through many, many, many things. That time, and those friendships, will forever be priceless to me. Priceless. Cheryl, Jolanthe, Becca, Carla, Suzie, Crystal, Lourdez, Darne...

I have been truly blessed to know ALL of these guys (and all the ones that I didn't include) and to have connected with them in a gut-level way. I KNOW I am the person I am today because of these faithful few. I know it. And I realize that though those people's paths have, for the most part, been separated from my own...I can STILL say those friendships will forever remain precious to me. Key to my becoming me.

But God has remained faithful to make sure that I continue to be surrounded by people who's very lives call out to something deep within my spirit. Something that I lack the words to define. Yesterday was one of those days. One where a simple conversation with a friend turned into something that inspired the very core of who I am. who I desire to be. who I am destined to become.

I almost canceled our little get-together because, for some strange reason, my equilibrium had gone out of whack the night before and I wasn't sure I should go out. But even as I called her to reschedule, something in me cried out. I knew I wanted to go. I knew I needed to. and I started to physically feel better! So I threw some clothes and deodorant on, gathered up all my children, and met my dad in town (to give him the two oldest girls) and drove to her home where I spent the next FOUR hours (i had no idea I was there that long...whoops!) discussing the depths of Jesus.

She took the time to ask me questions that I hadn't taken the time to ask myself. To share her experience on the realm of the supernatural with me. To encourage me to look at things from a different standpoint. To challenge me to see what the Bible says instead of going by what I've always heard...

I suppose the "what" of what we talked about isn't important. Because even as I sit here, I can't remember it all. What I remember is the feeling of being understood. of being ALIVE. of having something in me called out...called forth.

I know I'm being vague. It's not my intent. But words can't always describe the working of the Holy Spirit on your life, you know? So all I can say is yesterday something happened in me. Something was awakened. An expectancy stirred. And I'm so ready to see what comes from it all. I'm so ready to grab ahold of Heaven's Gates...