Friendship.
I bet a few of your besties just popped in your head! They are just so close to our hearts aren't they? What a precious gift we Mamas have to be able to walk side by side with other women who speak truth into our lives, love on our kids, and encourage us right when we need it.
In fact, 4 years ago this week, I was sitting in a hospital waiting room while my son, JohnRudy, was fighting for his life and this featured friend sat with me every single day and continues to walk this road of grief with me.
Her name is Jill and she made me laugh so hard the other day I was crying! And I'm really hoping this is not one of those, "You had to be there" kind of stories.
She told me months ago (I think way before Christmas) that the alarm on her cell phone was set to wake her up at 4:30AM, but it was also going off two other times.
I looked at her phone, but didn't see any other alarm set.
Fast forward to a few days ago.
We were chatting away when she nonchalantly said, " My husband only wakes up now when the 4:30 AM alarm goes off.
I said, "What? Your phone is still going off 3 times a night?"
She said, "Yes, I've gotten so used to it." She then explained what happens every night.
The Story
She began, "The first alarm goes off at 2:30 AM and when I pick up the phone and hold it against me the alarm stops, but when I fall back to sleep and the phone slips out of my hand, the alarm starts going off again."
Can I just say that I burst out laughing as I could just imagine her doing this in the middle of the night! Night after night!
In spite of my laughter, she went on, "Then another alarm goes off at 3:30AM, but this time I have to silence the alarm or it will keep buzzing." I sat there hardly able to catch my breath because I was laughing so hard. Again, she just kept on with the story. "After that, the 4:30AM alarm goes off and my husband wakes up and tells me that my alarm is going off and it's time to get up."
I was laughing so hard at this point that tears were streaming down my face. She wasn't even complaining, just matter of fact telling me. After I composed myself and wiped my cheeks that were damp from the hysterical tears and laughter, I reflected on this sweet friend of mine.
That is so like her and I so love and admire this beautiful character quality she has.
"You have the patience of Job," I said.
You see, she is patient and adapts so easily to things around her with a smile on her face. She will come at a moment's notice if I need anything and loves me and my whole family with arms wide open. She is truly the definition of a friend.
Love is patient, Love is Kind
Life for us Mama's can be so difficult sometimes and knowing we have friends to lean on truly makes all the difference. These verses came to mind and I encourage you to ponder them and think of your friends who love you well.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13: 4-8
So here is a challenge for you.
Let's go the extra mile and show our friends how much they mean to us. It can be as simple as picking out that perfect card and sticking it in the mail, treating them to coffee, or going for a walk and being a listening ear. And don't forget to thank the Lord for allowing your paths to cross so that you can walk this thing called "life" together.
And my friend Jill? Well she knows I have a ridiculous issue with laughing at the most inappropriate times and I shouldn't have laughed so hard, but I think friendship includes laughter too, right?
On a side note, she did say it was ok for me to write this and she requests that if anyone knows how she can delete the 2 unscheduled alarms, she would much appreciate it.
Blessings,
Crystal
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