A Friend Who Challenges

I was very pleasantly surprised yesterday with a visit from two of my dear friends.  It made me appreciative for many reasons but mainly for these reasons.

I am so happy I have friends who are willing to go out of their way because they want to make time to see me.

I find that quality harder and harder to find in friendships these days.  People are so busy or they don't want to make the drive or sometime comes up....etc etc etc.  Certainly there are times when I have to cancel plans or don't follow through, I realize that.  But I just really appreciate the effort.  Over Christmas one of my dearest friends drove 3 hours through snow to see us and I have to say it was one of the best presents I received this year.  I appreciate a good friend and I hope my friends know it!

I am so happy I have friends who are serving the Lord wherever they are no matter what.

I have multiple friends serving the Lord on various missions fields.  I am SO proud of them for following God's call on their heart and moving to sometimes remote, sometimes scary and definitely unfamiliar places.  I am proud of my friends who are serving here in the states every day in their jobs, whether it is nursing, mommying or ITing.  I am glad for the challenge these women present to me, to serve the Lord no matter what and no matter where!

I am so happy I have friends who are willing to ask good, hard and thought provoking questions.

My sweet friend yesterday asked lots of questions about Stafford and what mommy doesn't love that?  But the best thing she asked was,

"What has having Stafford taught you about the Lord?"

I was quick to answer because it reminded me instantly of this post.  I never expected to love Stafford as much as I do.  Don't get me wrong, I expected to love him.  And love him a lot!  But I didn't know it would be like this.  I was never able to picture what Peter would be like as a father.  Not because I couldn't see him as a father but because I just didn't know what it would be like.  And now that I've seen that I feel like I have a better and clearer picture of the way God loves me.  And that is SUPER overwhelming in a good but whoa!! kind of way. 

How great the Father's love for us!!  I hope you'll read the words of this song today and meditate on their meaning!!  The second verse talks about the Father turning His face away as Christ suffers on the cross for our sins.  Again, totally new meaning now that I am a parent.  I hate to hear Stafford cough knowing he might not be feeling well.  The magnitude of what Christ suffered is so incomprehensible!  And yet the Father still turned His face from it....because he loved us....and I'd also imagine because it hurt so much to see His only son suffer so.

Remember today how much the Father loves you!!