Tag Archives: Smorgasbord of sisterhood

Trust Fall – by Karla

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1, 2, 3…jump. The preschooler leans over the vast depth of the pool water, eyes wide with excitement, trusting the loved one to catch her.

Peddling and swerving; peddling and straightening. The youngster continues, believing the parent will keep holding his bike, guiding him until he is balanced and free to continue on his own. 

The “flyer” on a cheerleading squad is tossed high above the others, trusting her teammates will be waiting below ready to protect her descend with wide open arms.

“Take the keys to the car and run to the store,” are perhaps the most exciting trust words ever spoken to the sixteen-year-old.

The Concept of Trust

As we age, trust can become more difficult. According to the dictionary, trust can be defined as having confidence, faith, or hope in someone or something.

Sadly, in today’s world, the concept of trust has grown rather weak over the years, like a man’s handshake that has been diluted into a “yeah, whatever” agreement.

Most of us have dealt with the feeling of mistrust when it comes to others. Some days, it might seem the only one you can trust is your faithful dog, but he might even run off if tempted with a juicy bone.

Christian Friends

Let me tell you, I have some wonderful Christian friends: companions who have listened to me cry, rant, cheer, and laugh. Some pals have stood with me through thick and thin. How did I get so blessed to have such truly trusted friends? I looked in the right place. I found the ones with their hands stretched out ready to serve. Although Christian friends will not be perfect, they will give of themselves to the best of their ability.

God, I thank you for your creation of Christian friendships and what they mean to me. I will end with a short summary of recent events which illustrates the kind of friend I wish for you… 

Moving Day

Donna and I were moving boxes, most were very heavy. Scorching heat steamed around 95 degrees! Arms loaded, we traipsed back and forth getting boxes and moving them to the car. At times, when we were heaving and hoeing, we laughed until we cried. We’d pick up a box and look wide-eyed at each other as if to say there’s no way we can get this box of lead into the car. Our giggles started draining even more strength from our weak and flabby arms, which usually resulted in the box dropping. Though some of our laughter left us snorting and almost having tears run down our legs, we somehow managed to get everything loaded for each trip to and fro.

While moving the contents, we often used hand trucks. Stacking the boxes higher and higher, we discussed how much the dollie could hold. Many times, Donna would say, “I’m telling you; this thing can hold a refrigerator!” So, we stacked on another box. Driving the loaded cart was not an easy task, but Donna continued to say, “This thing can hold a refrigerator!”

Somewhere along the path when I had an empty cart and exhaustion had about set in, I said, “Hop on, Donna. I’ll take you for a ride.” Her tired eyes cut to the corner, “You already pushed me and let me surf on the flat utility cart. It’s your turn!”

“You can’t push me! I replied.

Without skipping a beat, she replied, “This thing can hold a refrigerator!”

Trust Fall

“You can’t hold me.” I repeated as we continued walking in silence. I glanced over, seeing her eyes calculating my weight and her strength. Then her mouth twisted to the side. Donna has been my best friend (and cousin) for as long as I can remember. I knew the determined look: I can too! I immediately stopped the hand truck leveling to the floor and took my rightful place, standing on its flat metal platform.

Talk about a trust fall! The thought that she could NOT hold me steady never crossed my mind. She is my devout friend with whom I trust. Crossing my arms over my chest, I felt my body leaning slowly backwards, and backwards, and backwards. Uhhh, I’m not stopping!

Gradually, I reclined until I was jolted flat onto the floor. Now crashing to the ground while lying on metal might sound very painful. But when you have a good friend, she will do everything in her power to protect you. And that is exactly what Donna did. She broke the fall and went down with me.

Then we just sat and laughed and laughed.

Trust God

God is the ultimate trust. He, and He alone, will never fail us.

  •  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
  • “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.” Psalm 125:1

God is so good to us, being available 24/7. However, He knows His creation well. He knew we would need fellowship. He knows we need someone that we can physically see. Thus, Christian friendship was born.

*Even if you totally trust your friend, human strength can give way. However, trust in God, for He will NEVER fail you. 

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Peace like a River -Karla

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My oldest, adult daughter and I were talking recently about how different our lives are now that we are quarantined. I must be overusing the word crazy to describe everything lately because Lindsey replied to a comment I made with the words, “Mom, I was expecting you to say, ‘Yes, that’s crazy!’”  

I am not sure why I use that word so often; perhaps it is because I stay at such a loss for an adequate word to describe life as we are currently living. This week in addition to the Coronavirus, the storms seemed to swirl over millions sweeping destruction along their paths.

A Different Easter

Easter seemed so different this year, yet it was the same. I was alone all day, yet I wasn’t. Though technology certainly does have its pitfalls, Sunday it served us well. Through Zoom on Sunday, our ladies’ class continued with our Bible study: Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose by Rebekah Lyons. Afterwards, I was able to worship in song online from my church’s prerecorded music. I viewed my pastor’s message from Emmaus Baptist Church, and then I observed the message from the church I attended as a child (First Baptist Church McCaysville / Copperhill).

Finally, my youngest daughter Rachel and I watched Passion City Church online together though we were about 80 miles apart. Later in the afternoon, I was in wonder while watching the production of “Jesus” by the Sight and Sound Theatre. Yes, this Easter was different, but maybe it was what God had in mind for me. A time to repeatedly take in His Good News.

Stormy Weather

As the storms began rolling in that evening, I realized the magnitude of the situation. Perhaps my concern was the storms were predicted to come and go continuously throughout the night. Maybe, my apprehension was caused by being alone. I would have no one to wake me if I was sleeping if the storm became too violent. Possibly, my worries were related to the uncertainty of our current situation with the Coronavirus. I will admit to changing some of my nightly routines a bit Sunday evening as preventive safety measures.

 Monday morning, I woke up having been protected by God and feeling very loved from friends and family who had checked on me during those 24 hours. I pray that those who have lost homes or other possessions can feel His hand on their lives and those who lost loved ones can feel His comfort.

Peace Like a River

A dear friend of mine texted another friend and me to check on us. The three of us exchanged “good here” messages, and then we text-chatted for a while. One of the friends lives on a farm that has a nice-sized creek. They have built a permanent picnic area complete with a playground and gazebo. Over the years, we have enjoyed the area along with their family. The creek is often so low that it does not rise over the rock wall built for a waterfall. However from the storms, it was pouring over producing an incredible sight. After viewing her short video and wrapping up our conversation, I immediately began singing “Peace like a River.”

Peace Like a River

The Bible study by Rebekah Lyons is teaching and reminding us that God is in control of all. In His love for us, He has created rhythms for us to rest and restore. I default back to my apparent overstated word, CRAZY: irrational, wild, bizarre, cracked, idiotic, and out of control. From my view, our world seems to take on these descriptors more than ever. Yet the pattern of the seasons continue, and the sun rises and sets. The sound of the flowing stream produces peace like a river and overwhelms my soul with His love and comfort that He — and only He —- is in control. No matter what craziness is going on around me, if I choose to pause with Him, peace like a river will reassure my mind and my soul.

Love, Joy and Peace

Without adequate rest to find peace within, I will lack the ability to show a God-sized love for others. As I rest in His peace, He will produce love like an ocean, which can flow from me into the hearts and minds of those in need. In the song, the third verse explodes with joy like a fountain. Joy is contagious! The fountain of joy can spew onto others as we share the true meaning of peace, love, and joy.

For as is stated in the book of Ecclesiastes, there is a time and season for everything. Perhaps, God, in his almighty and sovereign power, is demanding a time of rest for His children as we restore from reading His Word. Let us be refreshed and take His peace, love, and joy into the CRAZY and dying world.

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Wedding Plans -By Teresa (Guest Blogger)

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Donna and I are basking at the beach this week.  We’re excited to have our first guest blogger while we are having fun in the sun.  Please enjoy my friend and co-worker Teresa’s thoughts about wedding plans.
 
Wedding Plans- by Teresa
Growing up, I always “knew” what my future would be. I would marry the man of my dreams in a huge church wedding. We would sail off into the mountain sunset leaving our reception in a huge, multi-colored hot air balloon. I would be “Suzi Homemaker,” like my momma. We would have three beautiful, intelligent children – two girls and a boy and live in a quaint cottage style house surrounded by a white picket fence. We would, of course, have a dog.

Wedding Plans: Bridesmaids

As I became a teenager, my mom and I had many arguments about my wedding. I have always been blessed with an abundance of close friends. Naturally, they would all be in my wedding. Rattling off my long list of bridesmaids my mom attempted to be the voice of reason. I couldn’t see the problem. I had it all planned out.“You can’t have that many bridesmaids, Teresa. That will cost too much money. You will have to cut some of them out,” she’d say.
 “I can’t cut any of them out,” I countered. “I have to have Donna, Lisa, and Sheila because they’re my family. Tina has been my best friend since sixth grade. Beverly and I have been close since I was at Sand Hill. I just can’t have a wedding without Becky and Pattie. Pam, Jan, Laura, and I are the four musketeers. Brinda and Rena are like my sisters, so they have to be in it. Jo absolutely has to be my matron of honor. You can’t expect me to exclude any of them!”

Wedding Plans: Flower and Music

These silly arguments about wedding plans occurred countless times, never ending in a resolution. In the meantime, I was busy planning the actual ceremony. Since teal is my favorite, that would be my main color with baby pink as an accent color. There would be gobs of fresh flowers: hydrangeas, roses, and lots and lots of baby’s breath. Uncle Wayne would perform the ceremony. The bridesmaids would wear teal dresses with matching shoes. The matron of honor’s dress would be pink. The groomsmen would wear black tuxes with teal cummerbunds and bow ties.
The songs would be “Two Less Lonely People in the World” by Air Supply and “We’ve Only Just Begun” by the Carpenters. My dress would be a flowing white gown with a ridiculously long train as I walked proudly down the aisle on my daddy’s arm with him beaming from ear to ear. My handsome groom would be standing there waiting for me with tears in his eyes. It was all set.

No More Wedding Plans

One day, in the middle of one of these discussions with my mom, I finally said to her, “Momma, I don’t even have a boyfriend. There’s no point in us talking about my wedding and arguing about my bridesmaids until I am at least dating someone!” So, we stopped having these bridal battles. Still, I continued to plan my future in my mind. To this day, I have a Hallmark card that I bought for my husband-to-be. I planned to give it to him the morning of our wedding day. I’m sure by now it is yellowed from age and probably sounds cornier than it did when I bought it way back in the 80s.
 

No Prince Charming

I didn’t marry Prince Charming. There was no fairy tale wedding, the one I argued so passionately with my mother about. I don’t have three beautiful, intelligent children, nor do I live in a cottage style house surrounded by a white picket fence. As it turns out, I am still single. I live in a condo with the love of my life, a gorgeous little furry girl with four legs named Graci. (See, I did at least get the dog!) Please don’t feel sorry for me though. I live an extremely full and happy life. I have an amazing family made complete by “Pride” and “Joy,” my nieces. I have more wonderful friends than I deserve.
As a veteran teacher of almost 30 years, my job has allowed me to influence and make a difference in the lives of countless children. Graci and I love our home. There is no place on earth I’d rather be. What I didn’t realize back when I was fervently planning my future was that God had plans of His own for me. I truly believe I am living the life God intended for me to have, the life that is the best life for me, the life God knew all along was ordered by Him.
 
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord…” (Jeremiah 29:11 – NIV)
—Teresa

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