This is Kate.
She is my best friend.
Isn’t she beautiful?
Before Kate, I had written off female friendships. I had mainly been friends with guys and was convinced no girl could be as fun, non-judgmental and carefree as they were. Little did I know that God was about to karate-chop all my preconceived notions…
God brought Kate and I together at a pivotal point in our lives: we were both about to become newlyweds. I was leaving my job for a new one and she was hired to take over my old position. We spent hours together in the work place. She loved to laugh and crack jokes and she was a great listener. Her soon-to-be hubby was a worship leader and so was mine. eHarmony couldn’t have matched us better.
I got married in September.
She was married in November.
Kate and I were growing closer, indulging in late night talks in her apartment as newlyweds, blindly feeling our way through our new roles as “wives.” Decorating a new apartment, bills, communicating with our husbands… It was all new and strange and we were blessed to have our friendship.
I got pregnant five years later.
So did she.
Along came Tristan (mine) and Ezra (hers.)
The boys were thrown together as buddies immediately through play-dates and birthdays.
Our lives began to look different with these added creatures, but we made it fun! Mamas + babies = lots of coffee dates = #winning. Over the next couple years we added another boy into the mix (hers- little Ollie) and a couple more location moves (both of us).
I am not sure how it happened and I cannot pinpoint the exact moment, but God weaved us together in a way that couldn’t be fabricated by us.
At some point, we became the each other’s lifeline.
We became master referees, breaking up fights between our incredibly similar boys, and made time for movie nights with a wine in fancy glasses, forgetting our day jobs as moms for a couple of hours.
(Ollie, Tristan & Ezra)
We spent hours playing in the sprinkler, blowing bubbles in the summer sun, going to the pool on hot days and making hot chocolate on the cold ones. We filled our hearts with popsicles, bike rides and face painting; trips to the zoo and adventures in the woods. Then two blonde treasures, Monroe (hers) and Reese (mine) added to the brood and we expanded our influence on the world. Lord, help us.
..and things just got more crazy and creative…
We gathered for holidays, birthdays, double dates, & family vacations.
Our boys grew to be best friends, too.
Then a miracle happened.
She moved 5 minutes from my house.
She was finally my NEIGHBOR!!!!!
It was like the heavens had opened and rained candy on our exhausted mom bodies, giving us a new burst of energy to keep going in this crazy life. With only blocks separating us, I could just pop in for a few moments to chat or swing by a coffee for my friend who had a late night. My kids started treating her house like their own, getting cozy on the couches or raiding the cabinets for crackers when they were hungry.
Kate took in my kids often, loving them like her own and gathering them into loving arms, always showing them the love of Christ with her hugs and silly dance moves (yes, I believe showing God’s love includes ridiculous booty shakin’.)
It took 13 years, but God grew a little connection between the two of us into a steel chain. He opened my eyes to the world of girl friendship and I was forever changed.
…Then God called my family to move.
Not just down the street or the next city over.
Try Three. States. Away.
I couldn’t even get the words out when she asked me about Joey’s new job and if we were going to move… I spent our play-date pushing a stroller, blubbering like an idiot, trying to explain what I couldn’t: Our friendship would never be quite the same. It felt like I was leaving half of myself behind. Who would I go to when I needed a good laugh? Who could I share my heart with, knowing they trusted my intentions were good and there was no need to explain what I “really” meant?
Best friends are really God’s BEST plan. He gives us a special gift in these precious people He surrounds us with and sometimes places directly in our path. A supernatural buddy system, if you will.
And the more I ponder my bestie and our connection, even across states, I can’t help but open my heart to the original “best friend” He created for us:
Jesus.
God used my friendship with Kate to paint a picture of what He wants from us. He wants a friendship that we feel comfortable bringing everything to Him. It is this type of friendship that God is talking about in John 15:13:
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.”
The Bible is talking about Jesus. He is our greatest friend, offering his life up for us. Kate has given me much as my best friend, but is still pales in comparison to what Jesus did for me. He can be that person you run to when you have a sleepless night. He can listen to all your concerns in your marriage and give you peace when you need it. He can become your rock, your life-support.
“What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and grieves to bear.
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer.”
–Joseph M. Scriven
*Tell me about how God has used YOUR best friend to impact you. Tag her on our Facebook page and let her know how much you care!
This awesome! He really is our best friend. always there and will never let us down.
Powerful post, Erica. I’ve moved so much in my life that it just became too painful to allow myself to make strong personal bonds with friends. Every time I’d have a best friend one of us would move away. So, I started to shut myself off. Then, as I was lost in my sin, I was too ashamed to let someone come close & know the “real me”. But, I believed a lie. That wasn’t the “real me” & who I was created to be. As I surrendered my heart to Jesus, he began to soften it. He delivered me from my sins & loved me with a love that made me want to love others. I’d say He’s my best friend. I trust He will bring me “a best friend” again in the flesh when the time is right. But, for now I’m enjoying getting connected with other women & resting in Him.
Beautiful Erica!