I was Saved when I was 17. I was a senior in high school and my world around me was falling apart. And a friend invited me to church. And I went. The youth pastor's wife, Kim, walked alongside me as a "baby" Christian. She made me a part of her family. Even though she had two (and then three, and then four) little ones at home, she always made time for me and shared life with me.
I graduated college and moved back home where I had been hired as a 2nd grade teacher. Kim and I were drifting apart, but Vicki, one of my young adult leaders was becoming a more prominent figure in my life. Her three kids were older, but she still made me feel like I was a part of her family. They even offered to let me live with them when I was struggling financially.
Vicki walked some tough roads with me, and she always challenged me to dig deeper in the Words of God for His guidance and wisdom, but I wasn't ready to take on that responsibility. I think I liked being "too busy" for Bible Study. I made time for Church on Sunday morning, Youth on Sunday night (I was a youth leader who didn't read the Bible...), and Young Adults sometime during the week. But I didn't understand the value of personal study time.
About nine months after I got married, my phone rang really late one night. It was Vicki's daughter who had recently graduated from high school. She told me that Vicki had died that afternoon. She was at a Women's Retreat in the mountains, walking with a friend, when she stopped, fell to her knees, and fell face down. Her heart stopped and she was gone.
I was devastated.
But God is so gracious. He led me straight into the arms of Donna.
I quit teaching in the Fall of 2007, expecting my daughter in October, and joined Donna's Bible Study that she facilitated in her house. I can still remember walking into her house, where she had the yummiest candles lit, coffee ready to go with lots of tasty creamers, some kind of delicious treat for my hungry tummy, and the warmest smile and a welcome hug.
Donna had three teenage sons, and I soon became "the daughter she never had." Her Bible Study was the perfect reflection of Paul's words to Titus in chapter 2. I was the youngest gal, newly married with only a baby on the way. And then there was Betty, who was beginning to welcome great grandkids into her family. It was such an amazing and unique group, who on paper would never have been matched up, but who God knew we all needed.
Donna continues breathing words of wisdom into me. She has never been afraid to call me out in love and challenge me to be a better person. Through her Bible Study, but even more from her example, I really began to dig into my own personal Bible Study. No topics are off limits when it comes to conversation, and we both treasure our time together. It looks different now because she has moved to California, but we chatted yesterday, and I was reminded of how blessed I have been by her.
So now, is it my turn to pour into someone? I have often wondered if I shouldn't be speaking wisdom into a young woman's life. And then yesterday I received a string of texts, the first one at 6:15 am. My sweet friend and I are doing a summer book study about Bible Study, using Jen Hatmaker's book A Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study. This particular friend was going to try to get up before her two little boys so that she could have a few quiet minutes for her Bible Study. She was letting me know she was up. I celebrated with her that she was up and encouraged her. I shared a little about what I had learned that morning and helped her navigate through the She Reads Truth website. And then this happened:
C: Sounds good! Thank you for holding my hand like the little baby I am! :)
L: I had several friends who carried me as I navigated my way. I even copied one girl's journal! Love you my sweet friend. I am so thankful for you.
C:I am so thankful for you too! I so appreciate where you are at on your journey so I can glean from you! Love you too! So glad God put us together!
I always thought to be a mentor or spiritual guide that I would have to chase down a teenage girl and make her my project. I'm so glad God had a different plan for me. I do not feel worthy or up to the task, but I will let him lead me and guide me as I pray for "trust without borders."
This morning I am joining other women as we reflect on Titus 2:1-5 at She Reads Truth.
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