Treasure in a Timely Friendship

If you know me at all, you probably know that I’m a bit on the loud side, a bit outgoing, a bit adventurous. You could accurately say that I’m a bit of an ‘over’ gal.

But every so often I go through a period of time in my life where I feel like things are spinning out of control. And when that happens I just want to be. I want to be in control of my time. I want to be quiet and calm. I actually want to hide away and be alone.

And the last ¾’s of a year have felt somewhat out of control. Life has felt very busy; busier than I ever like it to be. It seems that I just figure out one thing about my kids and then a new behavior that needs ‘addressing’ begins. It seems like I just get home and then I’m heading out the door again. It seems that one event ends and another begins. One friend calls in crisis and the next one emails. And on and on. You get the idea. Each thing separately is easy to handle; but all things collectively begin to weary me.

But one thing I love about the Lord, and have found to be true through the years, is that when I feel like things are out of control, He brings along just the right friend that meets that ‘quiet’ need within me.

And one of the many friends the Lord has blessed me with this year is my vintage-loving, antique-shopping, long distance-running friend Melissa. {And as I look through all my pictures I realize I have none of just the two of us. We'll have to change that.}

{below: Melinda, Alysa, Melissa, Kristin}

Melissa and I have known each other for years, serving on MOPS leadership together, but it’s only been since last summer that I feel like our friendship has really grown. We began meeting weekly with another friend for prayer and accountability and those evenings quickly became my favorites.

Melissa and I are probably quite opposite on most fronts and I love that about our friendship. Melissa is quiet. And introverted. And gentle-spirited. She’s calm. I find that when I’m with her I instantly settle down. And relax. And slow down. And begin to take time to think. And the Lord knew I needed her in my life.

Melissa is a walking fashion statement. She just throws outfits together that look amazing. She pulls off hats like nobody I know.

And ruffles and jewelry and trendy and vintage all rolled into one adorable outfit after another. Too cute she is.

She is home-decorator-extraordinaire. I had NO idea how amazing her home was until this March. I walked onto her front porch and thought, “No way! This girl could totally run a bed and breakfast. Her home could be in magazines.” {And I’m so NOT kidding.}

Melissa is the best question-asker that I know. She reflects. She’s a thinker. She loves words. She’s thoughtful. She hears what you say AND what you don’t say. That’s a true gift. She listens and empathizes. And she follows through. You know when you make a statement about how you’re doing or feeling. Well, a few days later she follows up and asks how it’s going. She remembers. She notices the details.

{below: Melissa and Kristin}

Melissa prays. And that I love about her. She has a deep walk with the Lord, wanting to grow in her love for Him. She wants to learn. She knows the Bible. She listens to the Lord. She is wise in counsel.

And she loves Diet Coke. {And her husband doesn't understand that but I do!} What more could I ask of a friend?

Melissa, you have been one of my favorite parts about this past year. I have loved our times together and I am so thankful that the Lord allowed our paths to cross so many years ago, across a MOPS leadership table.

Thank you for your input into my life. You are a timely treasure to me.

{below: Melissa and her Jerry. They win gorgeous couple of the year award.}

Happy birthday sweet friend!

Don't be too embarrassed by this post. I mean every word of it. And you look great in every one of these pictures. So there.

{Oh, and Melissa and I have a great "taking a bath together" story. Maybe I'll tell it on the blog some day. Or not. It's a goody.}