bittersweet

she's one of my favorite people
ever

she moved a couple of years ago & i miss her terribly

we hadn't touched base in a while
but i had heard through the grape vine that her daughter's "kate" had finally arrived from china
following years & years of praying & eagerly awaiting her arrival

her reply was bittersweet

she was overjoyed that precious kate was here indeed & adapting beautifully
&
her own precious hubby
had been diagnosed only days before with cancer

& i quote my precious friend
"He ( the Lord) was not surprised.....He ( the Lord) is going to use this for His glory"

katie is one of the women in my life who i have been blessed beyond measure to call my mentor
she is a precious woman who selflessly lays down her life
each day
for others, for the precious ones she calls family
some born from her best friend that has gone on to heaven

she has taught me to love my girls in many many tangible ways

i quote her again
"I have found it freeing to drop off every commitment I have and just love and care for my family. That is my primary job and my delight."

that took my breath away
honestly , is there any greater calling?
i think not

in that one email i could just hear her precious little voice giggle with delight as she shared about her new grandbaby
& yet i could also see the tears form in her warm eyes as she told me about her beloved.

i do not take it for granted that i have been blessed to be surrounded by many women who have mentored me over the years.
some in a weekly discipleship
some in kindred friendship
some just by witnessing their lives from the sidelines of daily living

all of whom i could call today with a burden on my heart
& i know
beyond a shadow of a doubt
would lift me up in prayer
would rally around me & utter words i may be unable to even speak

katie
kitti
elaine
fran
jeanine
carol
regina
nancy
kay
joyce
susan

almost every one of them has faced some form of:
cancer
divorce
financial devastation
infidelity
abuse
a prodigal child
depression

i attended her funeral
& i also attended her funeral too
i have been discipled while her son was in a drug rehab
i have seen her start her life over
i have seen her build her dream home
i have seen her lift her hands in praise to the lord despite recurrent breast cancer
i have heard her prayers for her husband to heal
i have hugged her after her double mastectomy
i have cried with her as she talked about what her girl's life might be like once she was gone
i have seen the face of Jesus in EACH of them
& i am forever changed
they have molded who I am today


i encourage you to find your "katie"
the woman who has gone before you in life
who parents the way you hope to parent
who loves her children despite their public mistakes & failures
who stands beside her husband
who loves others
who is never too busy to pray for you

& i encourage you to be someone's "katie"
even for those of us who question what we could offer a younger mama
the Lord will use YOU
come along side & build her up
tell her you're praying for her

& remember sweet katie
its my turn to pray for you today
i love you