"Many women... have buoyed me up in times of weariness and stress.
Each friend was important...
Their words have seasoned my life.
Influence, just like salt shaken out, is hard to see,
but its flavor is hard to miss."
Pam Farrel
I thought about that, especially the line Influence, just like salt shaken out, is hard to see, but its flavor is hard to miss. I have several special ladies in my life, all who have influenced me:
- My mom
- Mary, Michelle, Sherrie, Kim, Sarah, Anne (sisters and sisters-in-law)
- Amy, Terri, Cindy (co-workers)
- Bev, Debbie, Debbie, Debra, Amy, Michelle, Kristin, Sue, Shannon, Joyce, Gayle, Sue, Donna, Katie (Pastor/Missionary wives)
- Denise, Paula, Donna, Gina, Tiffany, Sarah, Sarah, Sarah:), Rachel, Becky, Melissa, Gina, Jen, Stacia, Katina, Carol, Mary Ann, Raichelle, Barb, Debbie, Tina, Katie, Tiffany, Jen, Robin, Johanna, Priscilla, Ilona, Abbi, Janet, Elizabeth, Gail, Michelle, Connie, Karen (some of the many wonderful friends and ladies at church:D)
This is not an exhaustive list by an means... I could even list some names of people I met just by blogging that have been a great encouragement to me. I've been affected by many, many ladies that it's just too much to list. Just recently I encountered a situation where I could go to no less than 10 ladies within a day asking them to pray for me. Some I told what the situation was about and some I did not; but I know all will pray because that's who they are.
So thank you all for being there for me. Thank you for being:
- a shoulder to cry on
- a laugh-until-the-sides-ache buddy
- a yard saling/thrift shop/crazy adventure companion
- a smile passing in the hallway
- a rebuker and corrector in love
- an enjoyer of sleepovers, parties, and "girl time"
- a guiding hand on this pathway to being a woman after His own heart
- a sympathizer who understands frustrations with the folding machine, cutting machine, jogging machine, and the Riso:)
- a walking partner
- a fellow blogger serving the Lord
- an optimistic voice
- a faithful example
- a practical instructor of Proverbs 31 and Titus 2
- a fellow-spontaneous-seeker-of-what's-new-around-the-bend
- a faithful laborer on a mission field
- a light on a dreary day
- an encourager of faithfully waiting for God's best
- a friend to me.
Each friend is important. Each friend has touched my heart and life in some way, and has left an imprint on my heart. So thank you for touching my life.
9 comments:
Thanks Anne! It's fun serving together in Nursery. I appreciate your servant's attitude and the hard work you put into nursery and kid duty (teaching Sophia in Jr. Church:)), among other things!
I am praying for you and know that the Lord is and will continue to bless your life as you follow and submit to His leading.
Isn't it great being in a body of believers where we each can encourage one another to do right? It's good stuff!
Awww Anne! That was really sweet...you also have a major influence in the young ladies at church and school. They may not always act like it, but they do look up to you.
I thank you and Gracelyn thanks you for all the babysitting during handbell practice. Volunteering (with a sweet smile :-))as you do shows your servant's heart.
Thanks for the reminder that we need to redeem the time, and influence for the good! :-)
How sweet...thanks! I am grateful to serve our LORD alongside of you, too! You just don't know how much of a blessing it is to me that you spend so much time in Jr Church and nursery!! I mean...REALLY...you have no idea what a tremendous help that has been to me. I've commented recently to Scott about how I noticed your willingness to serve down there so faithfully and so often to "fill in" last minute. All of those "un-glorious" moments really add up and make a difference to us Mommies and Daddies. I should have told you sooner! THANKS!!
Anne, that's such a sweet and heartfelt post. You're such a blessing and such a sweet young lady!!
~Kristi
You'll never realize the reciprocol influence you had on me as well. Keep looking up, and every thing will be "well with your soul". Thanks for the piece of You, you shared with Me! Michelle
Ladies ~ I'm so thankful that God gives us opportunities to encourage one another! Oh and Kristi, I was specifically thinking of you as a blogger/friend/encourager! Keep it up for His glory!
HI! Michelle and Amy are a special influence on my life as well.
Thank God for godly friends!
R
:) See, it's those things like that you say that make me WANT to be more of an encourager. Don't you feel energized to encourage someone else when you've been encouraged yourself? You know, the Bible says that we're to encourage others, but I've never seen it where we're supposed to expect it. I think that's one reason it means so much to us when we ARE encouraged. Do you think?
I always think of David, who encouraged himself in the Lord... it DOES mean a lot to receive encouragement. But whether we get it or not, I think we're just supposed to keep plugging away at our tasks and be faithful, regardless of any recognition or not:o). God's good!
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