My New Best Friend.....

Yikes, what am I doing posting on this meme? Isn't this filled with women who are sophisticated writers and have an amazing testimony to share? Who am I to join the ranks of those who know how to write so eloquently? But I want to join in. I want to share and be a part of the blessings that God bestows on those who step out in faith for Him. So, please forgive me if this post doesn't "measure up" to some, I am taking baby steps here!

It was the "alone" part of the quote above that spoke to my heart. I have spent most of my life avoiding being alone (probably why I ended up with 7 kids, lol). The idea of being alone has always made me feel sad, lonely and rejected. My self worth came from how many friends I have or who I was surrounded by. There are times I made very poor choices in company because it was better than being alone.

As I have said before, my Dad left home when I was young, my Mom was not always available and my younger sister and I were never close. Perhaps this is why I have spent a lifetime seeking companionship. To fill a void leftover from childhood. Or maybe it is simply because I am a sanguine personality and love to be around people. Whatever the case, my philosophy has always been "the more the merrier."

This is not always God's philosophy however. He calls me to "be still and know that HE is God." He can reach and fill the parts of my soul that no one else can even see. Not even me. So as I found myself in relationships that were unhealthy and potentially harmful, God removed me from them. Sometimes this was very painful and I did not understand.

I searched for so long to find a "Best Friend". I thought I had found that person several times, first it was my mom, then my husband and finally several different girlfriends. The problem was that all of these people are human. They could talk with me, pray with me, cry with me, give me advice......but none of them could be the missing piece of the puzzle that was me. None could answer my questions: "Who am I? Am I worthy? What is my purpose?" They were kind, they listened and they said encouraging words but they couldn't give me answers because they didn't know the answers.

Only God could give me those answers and He was waiting patiently for me to discover that "Jesus is my Best Friend." Once I was able to figure that out I have never had to be alone again. He was just waiting to surround me with church family, friends and prayer partners but Jesus had to come first.

It is funny and probably appropriate that it was through a party and a girlfriend that God revealed a new direction and purpose for my life. One night at Bunco she invited me to a CBS bible study. She is very shy and told me she had never invited anyone before. She had to quit the study because of a new job so I went alone......

3 years later I am the Associate Teaching Director and acting Prayer Chairman of that same CBS study. I have made dear friends there, I have invited and brought other friends. I have gotten to know God and see Him work in ways I could never have imagined and I am able to share that with everyone I meet! I am doing things I would NEVER have thought possible! All of this because I found a "best friend" in Jesus and I long for time spent alone with Him!

Please don't miss the wonderful testimonies and thoughts that are being shared at the In Other Words meme today. Visit Michelle at Because I Love You.