Today, Christy came over to bring me lunch and I started thinking about how much I love her as a friend. If you have not ever had a best friend, let me know and I will find you one! There is nothing like a true best friend who really knows you emotionally and spiritually inside and out. Girls need love from other girls! I look back at ALL of my best friends (because I have soo many) and see how God has strategically placed them at times in my life when I needed them the most. Each one of my best friends are so different, but all love the Lord and me whole-heartedly. Sweet girls I would not trade in for the world; Christine, Kari, Rebecca, Lynsey, Deighton, Cobb, Ashley - all are girls that I love so much and need in completely different ways. I love that God has given me sweet girls to help me through stages of my life.
But today, meet Christy! I did not think I was looking for a new friend at the time I met her. I would have never imagined that God was about to Rock my World through this friendship. I had no idea He was about to grow me, mold me and shape me into a new person - teaching me to love in a new way, and forming a friendship that is so in-tune with God.
I met Christy at church, through Ashlee Cobb (who I love dearly). Cobb came to me 2 years ago in November to ask me to talk with her friend Christy. See, Christy had lost her Dad and her friends were not sure how to "help" her, or even how to love on her. If you have never lost a parent you don't know what it feels like - and that is totally understandable, but it is hard to even speak to people who don't know the anger, fear, suffering, and sadness you are experiencing. So I loved that Cobb reached out to me.
I called Christy and we met for dinner - and it was a dinner that lasted a very long time. That dinner turned in to several more. I was able to walk her through the grief and show her that what she was feeling was okay. BUT, God was teaching me through all this. He showed me that there were sooo many things in my life that went back to my mom's death that I had not dealt with. Things that I kept inside because I was supposed to be "okay." I didn't have anyone from the outside to walk me through when I lost Mom. I wanted to be okay for my family, and I didn't turn to anyone. So as it turned out - 3 years after Mom died, I began the last stage of grief acceptance! WOW.
I remember thinking, "God what is your plan in all this?" But now I see. He wanted me to trust Him again. To rely on Him again. To learn to communicate my feelings. To learn to not have to be "strong." To learn to not have to fix everything.To be open to suffering and to learn to love myself in a new way so that I could be a Wife and Mom like she was!
I feel like Christy and I have known each other for years. I needed her these last two years and I thought I was the one who was needed. :) Oh was I wrong. I have gained a best friend, one that I won't ever let go! So Christy - You are stuck with the Crawfords! We are honest with one another, hold one another accountable and laugh TONS together. If you put us in the same room, things get a little crazy. We just think the same in sometimes the craziest of ways - and many times we get weird stares!
When we hang out - it is for hours! I don't think we can hang out for an hour and be "filled." Our time together last a really long time. So today when she showed up to bring me lunch, I knew my after noon was going to be amazing.
She is a a part of our family! Wyatt adores her! I mean adores! And Andrew loves her like a sister. She can be in our home any time and there is never any awkward time.
So I just wanted to introduce you to one of the most selfless friends I have had. Someone who can love me even when my heart is dark and angry. Someone who can step up to the plate and tell me I am wrong. Someone who loves the Lord so much she is okay with having hard conversations. Someone who loves my family. Someone who I can be completely inappropriate with and not feel judged!
We love you Christy! Thank you for loving me so much!
These Pictures about Sum who we are! :)
1 comment:
There aren't enough words to adequately respond to all that you said. As lame as this is..DITTO! You know I love you and your little family like my own. I left today and thought how grateful I was for our time together today too. I laughed at the pictures you posted because not only do we have matching clothes on in each picture, but we always make a point to have matching accessories in each picture too. Oh how I love you too! Feel better soon BFF!
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