For Tammy

So, this morning, Alison sends me a link to the All Access blog with a contest to write about women who are changing women's lives. I am not so concerned about the contest, but got excited about the opportunity to share what one woman has done in my life. There is so much more than this that I could say about her, but I had to get across the main stuff. So, here is what I wrote to the All Access folks...

I feel honored to even get to write this.

I have had a rough childhood and never really had someone take a full-on interest in ME. At the end of 2003 they were beginning a mentoring program at my church (which oddly enough, we are the only 2 who have stuck it out all these years). And on New Year's Day 2004, I began a once a week mentoring with the most Godly woman I have ever met...Tammy.

She is 20 years my senior, but my absolute best friend aside from my husband. She is the first person in my life who is 100% honest with me, no matter how much it might hurt me as long as it is for my betterment!

In the last five years I have learned what it means to be a Godly wife even when you don't want to or he doesn't deserve it.

I have learned what it means to be committed to God and His work for me in my local body even when I don't want to or I feel that church doesn't deserve it.

I have learned what it means to tell brothers and sisters the truth even when I don't want to or when I feel they don't deserve it.

I have learned what it means to truly forgive even when I don't want to or when I feel they don't deserve it.

I have learned what it means to love the unlovely even when I don't want to or when I feel they don't deserve it.

I have learned what it means to stop believing what I FEEL and start trusting what GOD SAYS.

And I have learned that thru the walk and talk of Tammy. And God has even given me opportunities to minister to her and I am so honored by that. Next to my relationship with God and my Hubby and kids, she is the most important person in my life. And God gave her to me!

We have been thru some very tough times together, but she has been a conduit of God to help sharpen me and my dependence on God. She, thru her own trials, is showing me many attributes of the Proverbs 31 Woman. Bottom line is, she loves me and I love her.

And God has interwoven our lives into the beautiful tapestry that will leave a legacy for my 2 children. They will have a better mother in their lives...my husband will have a better wife...my church will have a better servant...my friends will have more honest relationships with me...and My God will have a better soldier in me because of her!

Thank you, Lord for being sovereign and placing us together. Your ways are truly higher than mine!

And I know that Tammy would and will always say "It's not me. It's God." And while that is true, God has used her! In tremendous ways. So just enjoy a moment of reaping what you have sewn, Tammy. I love you and can't imagine where I would have been if you hadn't allowed God to use you in my life.

"Peep" out!