I could never have imagined the events that were soon to unfold around me, the last time I sat down to blog, but God sure did. And, because He's awesome, he had already started preparing my heart for the heartache that was soon to hit. When I wrote my last post, I had no idea that it would be a foreshadowing, and would ultimately prove to be a profound testimony to the importance of "faith friends" and how much we need them in our lives. After witnessing a close friend lose her precious child right before her due date, the words that God inspired me to write couldn't ring more true:
It was truly amazing and heartwarming to see the support of so many "faith friends" lifting this beautiful family up in prayer, word, hugs, gifts, tears, and meals ... many, many, many meals. Because my friend surrounded herself with these friends and cultivated these friendships, she knows first-hand how crucial it is having that support system, especially in the darkest hours and days of our lives. It seems unfathomable to experience such grief without the help of these friends because tragedy and the trials of our lives are inherently faith-based. Even for those who don't practice a faith, it's usually adversity that brings us to our knees... and we start praying.
When you have faith friends you have deep friendships that are based on serving God and each other, not on convenience. Only God can fill the void in our hearts and only Jesus can offer peace that transcends human understanding, but our friends offer the necessary comfort and grace through their prayers, that help us grow in our faith during these times. Ultimately, with God and our friends by our sides we can overcome any obstacle, heartache, and trial that comes our way without falling victim to utter despair.
Perhaps we can even thrive through the pain, and harness the redemptive power of our suffering, so that we can grow in our trust in God's merciful love? I've consistently witnessed in my own life, and especially recently with my friend, that when you offer up your suffering and trust in Him, he will shower you with miracles and affirmations, and sometimes even in form of roses... More on that later.
Stay strong mamas and find a tribe of good faith friends.
