Friendships Are A Gift From God Part 2

The relationships God puts in our lives are well worth noticing. We are usually so use to them that we forget to look around and see what we have. But as you look you will find that He has put people in your life that are exactly what you needed. He's equipping us for trials, and taking up our cross and following Him.

This sunday I rediscovered just how beautifully designed my friendship with Carrie is. We had gotten some discouraging news, which now that I look back at it, isn't as big of a deal as I felt that it was. We found out that the organization we have been working towards working with for months now was no longer an option.

 I was emotionally exhausted and disappointed, ready to just collapse. We went from church to my friend Rachel's house and cooked ourselves some lunch. I immediately put some worship music on and we both just kind of let God make sense of what we didn't want to.

We sat there, just the two of us, eating lunch not saying a thing. Just listening to the worship music, every once in a while we would sing along. Then Carrie broke the silence and said "You know it's actually exciting. Just think, God has something so much better planned for us!" I looked at her and nearly burst. Her faith totally blew me away and was exactly what my heart needed to hear. It brought me back to the truth. God is good all the time and He withholds no good thing from us! So this means, just as she said, that God has something so much greater planned for us.

I have learned over and over again that trusting God when it doesn't make sense always turns into something beautiful. And what looks to be a dark and lonely path is a path I walk with Jesus who is the  very Light of the world. This particular setback is not really that big of deal. We will find another organization and we will still get back to Ethiopia. God will get us there. But this very small test helped me see how Carrie and I would deal with a big one. It's encouraging to know that I'm not going to be alone.

Many Godly woman that people just consider to be sweet turn out to be some of the bravest and wisest woman I know. My Mother, the widows I met in Korah, and my best friend Carrie.

They are filled with unbelievable faith and they know God in such an intimate way because of this faith. Just as the disciples had a much more personal relationship with Jesus than the thousands who filled the streets to sing Hosanna. Because they actually believed that Jesus was the Messiah. These woman have inspired me and I hope I become more like them. 

I praise God for putting such a brave, faithful woman of God into my life. He has given me just what I needed. I couldn't imagine, going on this journey alone. Just as Naomi needed Ruth, I need Carrie. She is such a valuable gift to me. And I pray that I can return the favor by encouraging and loving her as Jesus has loved me. That we may always point each other towards Christ.