Accolades go out to

I was driving in to school today thinking over things as I often do when I drive. I was reflecting on this overwhelming feeling being alone. It's something that I have often felt through my life, especially in regards to female friends. As I was reflecting God prompted me to check again..."Uh....Kristie? You might want to check in with me about that" "Um ok God but you know what life has been like for me, nary do i have a female friend to turn to." "Kristie, try again lets break this down and start listing." "Ok sure God" (I was starting to feel somewhat vindicated knowing I would be right!) So here's my list:

G/F no. 1_ I have known you since grade four and you have never failed me. Months sometimes years have gone by when we have not spoken tho you only live 30 min away form me. You have seen me grow nad seen me through so many crisis from the birth of my first son as an unwed mother to the divorce proceedings from my ex and you have always been one I could count on to check my thinking and portary an alternate perspective. Girl, I love you more than I can really express.

G/f no. 2- Although we have known each other since high school, we have really only connected in the last number of years. You are truly an ispiration for me of the type of woman that I strive to be. You have overcome so much in this last month, so many losses and trials and yet your heart refuses to harbour bitterness or resentment to God and the minute you hear that precious little ones need care you open your door and your heart wide. How I wish that I could be half the woman that you already are let alone who you are still growing into. Words fail me...........

G/f no 3- You have come into my life in the more recent years. You have been teh constant source of reality check and yet at the same time you have furied along wiht me about things. You have been there for me to cry with and laugh with. You are one of my biggest cheerleaders and you stand with me and pastor me as I reach my destiny. I have the pleasure of knowing you and working for you and being pastored by and the greatest of these is i can call you my friend.

G/f no 4- Wow the connection that we have in our thinking and in our creativity does blow my mind at times. You have opened my mind to so many possibilites that I dare only hoped for before. You are truly someone worth knowing and you have my fullest admiration to determine what you have cm hosen to do....the MA and PhD despite the complications that trail you. And yet you continually press on toward the goal in the most authentic way that I have ever seen. I hope to be able to come to that point of authenticity that you exude. it pours out of you and challenges me to grow. I am so excited to be on this journey with you....

So accolades go out to all of you. the end of my conversation with God went like this:"So Kriste.... no one?" Very sheepishly I respond "Um well I guess there are a few..." "Kristie, I have given these gifts to you, enjoy and treasure them....adn above all remember: you have girlfriends, they can be yoru family, and always, always, you have me...."

Now this goes out to 6 women, who I became connected to in a way that words fail me, in the course of an 11 hour space. You 6 saw me at some of my worst and you loved on me and accepted me. You CHOSE to stand with me and love on me through the worst of everything. The gift you have given me, words cannot describe. You CHOSE me and by that very choice you said so much to me its astounding the change that is occurring in me as a result of your love and your choice. Words fail me.So as a token of what I feel for you I wrote this for you although it will not do you justice

You Catch my Tears

Ch
You catch my tears oh you catch my tears
Hold my hand, allay my fears
You catch my tears oh you catch my tears
Hold my hand, our hearts draw near

V 1
Life has been a lonely journey
Without a pillar to lean on
Each step I took was done alone
No source of strength from which to draw

V2
To fight the trials of this world
Took strength and courage, yet I had none
Instead of freedom for my life
I was unrav’lling and undone

Ch
You catch my tears oh you catch my tears
Hold my hand, allay my fears
You catch my tears oh you catch my tears
Hold my hand, our hearts draw near

V3
Life threw a curve, turned upside down
Sweet soft miracles were found
The web of lies, the snakey trails
Were no match, became unbound

V4
Through ministering hands and hearts
Of ten devoted precious lives
Seclusion halts and lives no more
While joy and love begin to thrive

Bridge
For without you in my life
Horizons looked dark and bleak
You’ve chosen to stand by me
And watch me crest the mountain peak