That I am blessed is not news to me. In my heart of hearts, I know this without a doubt. I will admitt that I typically don't focus on that fact and have a hard time remembering that God has blessed me. This weekend was that reminder that I didn't realize I needed.
When I think of a Diva, I think of someone maybe like Zsa Zsa Gabor or Elizabeth Taylor. Not a person I even have the potential to be. But our speaker, Holly, at the retreat this weekend presented us with a different picture of DIVAS.
I am now, and really always have been a traveling DIVAS. That is a woman on a journey that is Developing Intamate Valuable Authentic Sisterhood. And looking around my life, I have been blessed with many great DIVAS. Throughout ever stage of my life, God has placed amazing women for me to journey with.
I konw what I am about to do, could possible upset some people and for that I am sorry. That is not my purpose. My purpose is to remind myself that I am not walking with journey alone and to recognize the amazing people God has placed in my life. Please realize, if you are not mentioned here by name it is not meant as an isnult to our friendship. Please know that while I cherish every friendship I have, there are a few that God has used in more ways than others.
First and foremost, God put me in a family with two wonderful, Christian women-my mother and my grandmother. These two women spent much of their time in prayer for me and helped develop in me a deep love for the Scriptures and the One behind those Scriptures. It is a privilege to journey with these two women. My Aunts-Lori, Lisa, Jeanette, Evelyn, Elsie- have also been an a tremendous assistance on my travels. And I can't imagince not having my sister with me as well.
I was blessed to attend a Christian school growing up and here God placed some of the brilliant, loving women I have ever known-Libby, Marquitta, Mary Kay, Melissa, Becky, Linda P., Linda G., Linda B., Deb, Kayleen, Barbara, Donna, Sandra. Their acadamic teaching was great, but their devotion to the Lord inspired me then and still does to this day.
There are two women who have been in my life for almost longer than I can remember. I have known Lynnae since I was five years old. We have been through so much together, to put it all down here would take months. Family issues, deaths, school, arguments over religion...the list goes on and on. And yet, God has been faithful in that relationship and we have never really strayed from one another. I met Amy sometime during our teen years (she remembers the day, I don't) and we, too have been through so much together. With both of these wonderful women, life has led us down completely different paths, yet through it all, God has been faithful. It would be shameful of me to leave out their mothers in my discussion because both of these women have been great for me and my relatiosnhips with their daughters.
Years after I knew that Lynnae and Amy were in my life forever, I met some wondeful women in college-Jhansi, Tarese, Tara, April, Melanie, April, Laura, Mandy, Karen, Rena, Rachel, Joanne, Betty. Different ages, backgrounds, states, and life situations and yet, I got to travel with these women daily for five years. The impact and influence they had on me will last the rest of my lfe.
My marriage introduced me to my mother-in-law, Mary and my sister-in-laws, Staci and Tammy. These three women have also been a true blessing.
After leaving Oklahoma City, I met other women-Brenda, Kathy, Linda, Mary, Kathryn, Judy, Darla, Kim, Traci, Amy, Janyce, Cindy, Melanie, Dawn, Lecia, Debra-these women worked with me in houseparenting and have helped influence, guide and keep me going when life gets me down.
While here Amarillo, Jason and I have finally been able to really get involved at our church. And here God has continued to give me some wonderful women to travel with. Some of these women I am just now joining on the journey, but some have been walking that path since we moved here-Diane, Jennifer, Kristen, Karla, Debbie R., Evylen, Rebecca, Mary, Georgianna, Debbie Z., Cheryl, MIsty, Virginia, Londa Angie.
I know there are probably many women I am forgetting and for that I am truly sorry. However, know that I have enjoyed our journey, regardless of how long that was. Some of you, I have been blessed with for more than ten years, others less than 24 hours, but I know that God will bless our walk. And one day, that journey will end here on earth and we will receive the reqard that God has promised. Until that time, thank you for being DIVAS.
Do youreslf a favor, look around-search your past and pay attention to the present. Who are your DIVAS? Let them know it. If you have been hesisitant to committ to a deep, valuable relationship, let go and let God.
4 comments:
Well I found your blog and I'm glad I did!! I feel so blessed to be in your list of DIVAS. You, of course, are one of mine as well!!
-Traci
Thank you for the props. You are a dear sister of mine and a most fond member of my family.
The day we met, you were on crutches and I was wearing a horrid pink dress that I made myself. Between your crutches and my disaster of a dress, it is hard to forget. I was twelve. Which means we have been friends for...well...a while. Let's not go telling our ages. :)
As my ???st birthday approaches, I find myself being more sensitve about my age. I appreciate the fact that you don't want to share that informatin either. Of course, I am sure you would be the first to remind me that I am older than you!
I wasn't going to say anything, but yes, you are indeed older than me. Though, it doesn't do me any good. Someone told me that my new hair cut made me look like I was in my twenties. I AM in my twenties. Barely.
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