For Lucy

Last evening I was given the opportunity spend some wonderful time with friends I have made here in this town and through my church.  I went to a Zumba class (LOADS OF FUN!!!) with them for exercise.  Afterwards we were outside discussing various things and among them God's blessings in our lives.  My friend, who asked to be called "Lucy", was showing us all the car that God has recently given to her family.  Now, this isn't just a car - this is a Volvo, Cross Country station wagon, leather, turbo, sunroof (my fav), etc, etc - you get the picture.  She was sharing with us how God gave her a desire she had jokingly voiced, but truly knowing Lucy, you would know she would have been happy with anything her Father chose to give to her and her family.  She was just filled to overflowing with this particular blessing - and to top it off - it had a FULL tank of gas! 
So as we were talking I was reflecting on how God has so willingly and creatively met so many needs of mine in my life. One of the best has been through the people he has put in my life.  I really really really thought that when I wrote my entry in December thanking people in my life, that I had named those in my life currently by their intitals.  I went back and read it today and see that she was so right - I didn't.  I KNOW what I was saying from my heart in that entry, but evidently didn't convey it very well.  I also know, because of the nature of issues discussed in this blog, anonymity is important to me.  So, what I want to do now is take a little time and thank my loving, provider, Jesus Christ, for the oh so many people he has placed in my life throughout the years. 
Because of loss I experienced at an early age I was given the gift of letting people know my appreciation for them probably earlier than most people mature into thinking about things like that.  I am not bragging.  I am just stating facts.  Trust me - anything positive in me or my life is only by the grace of an Almighty God!
So - beginning my senior year I began writing people and thanking them for what they meant to me.  That continued into college - I especially am thankful I did this with my mom's parent's.  My mom's mom was not quite sick with Alzheimer's yet and was able to truly hear my heart - and she wrote me back.  Then after my kids were born I went through a period of writing people - sometimes I just call.  I know people think I just get emotional and sappy, but I truly mean all I say.  My life could have been SO different had it not been for God placing them in my life.  Not only that, but that they responded to God's prod to serve in areas they served or move to areas they moved to or open up their home to me, etc. 
Then Facebook came on the scene.  When I first got on FB I tried to send a message to all my old youth workers from my home church.  To let them know how much they influenced me, helped by just listening and spending time with me, etc.  I am not sure it did anything for any of them, but it did for me.
So, now let me thank those God has currently placed around me  - those prayer warriors, friends, ones that have provided more times than I can count in a pinch:
To Lucy:  You so willingly came to my first ever small group at church.  You have no idea how nervous I was about leading a small group - that no one would find mine among the hundreds - but WOW! Look at all God did from that group.  The Hillcrest ministry, our friendship, your prayers for me and my family, your encouragement of me as a child of God, your living testimony of God's love. At the end of that group you gave me a journal.  You had no clue I have kept journals most of my life, but you said to me that God would use my words one day - and oh how I pray that that is true!!  I am so blessed to know you - your love for God, your family, and life in general.  Thank you for making that call!! (and thank you so much for sharing your husband with me  =)  *wink*wink*- no seriously - "superman" has been a God send in so very many ways. He loves Jesus, and he so very, very much loves his wife - you two are a wonderful inspiration to the rest of us mere mortals! - and he's not half bad with my car either which is endearing in its self :ha ha ha:)
To Mel:  I joke that I have done more damage to you than anything else, but look at the evolution of our relationship.  God placed you in my life at a time He knew I desperately needed A person to care for my sick child when I could not.  There is no guilt like a mother's guilt.  Even if there is no help for the circumstances that force needing help - mom's still have guilt.  You stepped in - there were days I was so jealous that you were getting to have all those "moments" with my child that I wanted to so much.  To take him to the park, watch him write, read, play, smile, sing, etc.  You put up with my unexplained (and on my part not always understood) moodiness with a readiness to help.  You helped train our dog and have loved all my kids as if they were your own.  I have watched you mature as a mom and wife and Christian and have been so thankful that God has allowed me to be a part of this with you.  You have gone from employee to friend and for that I am ever grateful to God. 
RM:  For you and your husband's love for God - your laughter and willingness to share.  For Ed's creative inspiration and his willingness to share it - no matter what or where - God has used him to inspire me!  God has given me so much from that small group - solid partners in prayer - other mothers going through life with the same struggles with money, food, and "mommy issues" as me - I am forever grateful that you and Ed, were also placed in my life as a gift from God. 
MG:  Probably one of the first women at church, along with SC, that I felt connected with that I did not already know.  You listened to my struggle that night at the retreat and have been a prayer force and example in my life since.  I do not have you on a pedestal - you are just a very good reflection of God's love and power to me.  I thank Him for allowing me to know you!
SC:  What to say and where do I begin?  You are the example I want to be.  You have literally taken difficult times in your life - times you had to become creative - but stayed rooted in God and asked for his guidance -and look what he has grown!!  A ministry that has quickly become spread throughout the southeast - and now you have taken it with you west - but you did not just leave behind the ability to "find good deals" - you left behind the teaching about God's provision, the importance of passing on to others, and what the Proverbs 31 woman really looks like - and that being a Proverbs 31 woman IS attainable when we are led by God.  Thank you, and God bless you and your family!
Again - there are so many others  - so little time - and I am poorly focused right now - just know I dearly love each and every person God has allowed to come into my life - even those that I have had "conflict" with - because those conflicts have allowed a refining inside me also.  God knows exactly what he is doing.  He knew the church I would need to be attending and how to get me there, He knew the people I would need speaking life into me, and how to have me meet them, and He knows where I am headed from here.
Thank you, Lucy, for spurring this on!!