Friends

One of the biggest realizations I have had lately is that I have some of the most incredible friends.  

It is during times of crisis when you really see who your friends are.  Those are the people who are running toward you, because you are in need...and not running away from you, because you are no longer servicing them.  

I just had no idea how deep some of the friendships I have, really are.  I stand amazed.  

When I needed a friend to live at the hospital with me, to labor and deliver a baby, I had 2 come to mind immediately.  I knew they would be there for me.  They would support me.  They would pray for me if complications arose.  I knew that they would be kind and respectful of The Referee, even in spite of the challenges of our marriage.  I knew they would be supportive of him as well.  I knew who I could call on.

When, instead, I needed to go to go to the hospital and deliver a dead baby, I knew I could count on my 2 friends to be there for me.  What I did not realize, was that I actually had 4 friends who were ready to be there for me.  What a blessing!  2 of the 4 practically invited themselves to accompany me to the hospital....offering to drive me and everything.  I am so thankful they did.  I wanted them there.  I needed them there.  I will be forever grateful for their kindness and support during that most difficult time.

It would almost appear that these same friends coordinate with each other (but I know that they don't), to take turns calling me, visiting me, encouraging me, and continuing to support me through this grieving process.  

In addition, a slew of friends have emerged into the center of my life, to help me in ways I never realized I needed.  It is really nice to say to someone, "call me if you need anything, or if there is anything I can do for you."  I say that same thing to people, and I sincerely mean it.

But, I have the kind of friends who don't wait for my call.  Friends who contact me instead and inform me of the ways that they will be helping me.  This was absolutely perfect when I was still in shock.  It is absolutely precious to me, now that the shock is wearing off and I am remembering the details of how they came to my aid.  

When I couldn't even think about food, I had a friend start up a meal calendar, to organize other friends bringing meals to our home.  People blessed us for over 2 weeks, and I still have a few meals in the freezer!  One friend brought a gallon of milk with her meal, because she just knew we could use a gallon of milk.  A house with kids always seems to need milk.  Another friend brought me a bottle of Mountain Dew, just because she had read on Facebook that I liked Mountain Dew.  So sweet!

When I couldn't even get past what I needed to handle in the next hour, I had a friend email me and tell me she would be driving my girls to their activity that was on the calendar in 4 days....and in addition to that, she had already purchased the snacks that they were signed up to bring.  I am so impressed that she took care of every single detail, and I did not have to think about any of it, or make any decisions about it.

When I thought I was only going to the hospital for a procedure, and then would return home, I had a friend call me and say she wanted to be there with me....and she was prepared to stay with me all night.  It turned out, I stayed at the hospital all night.  She was right there with me the entire time.  How did she know?

I have a friend who came to the hospital just to take pictures of Titus, after he was born, because she knows how much I cherish pictures.  She took well over 100 pictures of my precious baby boy!  I am not even sure how she took so many in that short time, but watching a slideshow of all those photos is so comforting to my heart.  

I have friends living in other states who sent me flowers, money, and a gift card to order pizza.  

In addition, I have a friend who made a point to show up to the memorial service, even though she has 7 children, and many of them were involved in a music competition that same day.  She simply told me, "I wanted to be here.  This is more important."  

One of the lessons I try to teach my children is to be careful of who they choose as friends.  The people we hang out with have a great influence over us.  I warn them that if they hang out with friends who make bad choices, they will be tempted to join in on bad choices.  I encourage them to choose godly friends who obey God's Word, so that they will be influenced to make good choices too.

What I have recently learned is that if you choose loving friends, you will not be alone during the trials of life.  

You will be surrounded with love.