Lately the Lord has really caused me to feel really blessed for the relationships He has given me! Today I wanted to reflect on 5 very different seasons of my life and how thankful I am for the friends God has given me.
Season 1: Growing up
There was always at least 5 of us from 2nd grade on. Here we are on the first day of our senior year. We have gone our separate ways since high school keeping up via Facebook but nonetheless these girls played a huge part in my life!
Season 2: High School
Joy and I knew each other since we were little but it was high school when we became close. Our faith in the Lord drew us together and it is what has kept us close since then. We don't talk often but when we do we pick up right where we left off.
Season 3: College
I wanted to go to a Christian university so that I could have solid Christian friends. It was a HUGE desire of mine! God granted that desire in unmeasurable ways. The four of us have been friends since freshman year. Our relationship is built on Jesus. It is our common glue because we are all very different. We all live apart from one another but try to see each other as often as we can. Last summer we spent a weekend in STL catching up and having girl time. Since that time we have each had a baby, (one of them is in labor as I type). I am SO THANKFUL for these Godly women!
Season Four: Louisville Life
I left college early and these three wonderful friends behind and traveled to the unknown world of Louisville, KY to marry my absolute best friend and love of my life. It was hard to leave friends that are like sisters behind. After a tough few months God directed Justin and I to an awesome church who immediately became our family. God gave me some wonderful friends in the form of women who were a few years older than me and MUCH MUCH wiser! These ladies saw me through so many changes and were there to always encourage, correct and walk beside me. I am honored to count them as my closest friends!
Season Five: Ministry
Approximately two years ago my husband took a senior pastor position away from Louisville. We have no doubt God called us to serve where we are now but that doesn't make leaving these awesome ladies behind any easier. If it were not for the immediate best friend I found in the associate pastor's wife this transition would have been a lot hard. Ministry is HARD! It is awesome to share the burden with someone else who is in your same shoes. I am so thankful for her love for Jesus, her family, our church, and for just who she is!! It is a blessing beyond words!
Now to be fair there are a few ladies who are not pictured in various seasons that mean the world to me! God gifted me Sara (Drake) Salguero in college as a fellow friend and RA, Julie Noyes during my transition time in Louisville, and some awesome ladies in our church who I feel blessed to call friends!
So thankful for the relationships God has blessed me with and how in every season HE knows exactly what I need!
