Every Girl Needs a BFF!

Girls, you need a best friend!  (If you don’t believe that, think again!)

Allow me to tell you my story…

In a tiny, rural town in Northern California lived a little, chubby, redheaded girl.  She lived with her kind, aging parents in the country.  Her brother was much older and only came around once in a while, most often when he liked what Momma was making for dinner.

The little girl was very well-liked by adults because she was polite and clever.  She was not well-liked by her peers, because she was different.  She followed the rules, got straight A’s, went to church, didn’t look like the other girls, and was “overly” protected by her parents.  She was not able to participate in normal games or recess activities as she had injured her spine at the age of six.  Therefore, she was given special privileges her classmates didn’t have.  Put all these differences together at a developmental age when children feel uncomfortable with others who are “different,” and you have a recipe for one lonely child.

I have not been alone…but I have felt very alone.

Enter another little girl with her own unique set of circumstances and appearance.  The two became fast friends and remained so until their paths separated after high school.

This isn’t a story to make you feel sad for me; it’s just who I was and a little about my background.  God provided my dear childhood friend to help me through those school years, and ever since then I’ve wanted another best friend–a forever friend!

This is where you might be expecting me to say that I met said girl friend while in college and that we have been best buddies every since.  Wrong.  Because of God’s sovereignty and unique plan, that person didn’t come along for almost 40 years. Did I try to “find” that relationship?  Of course, but of the hundreds of friends I’ve made in the many places I’ve lived, God protected me by preventing such a relationship.  Yep, I had a HUGE lesson to learn and it took that long.  Want to know what it was?

I had to become best friends with my Lord first!

Let me say, I’m truly grateful I have been able to share life with my amazing husband and that we are blessed by having a child of our own, but as wonderful as they are I still yearned for a bestie.

I know now that I had to learn to be fully dependent on God for all my needs, especially my relational ones, before I was ready to not only have a BFF, but also how to be one.  God knows each of us so perfectly and personally; He knows who should be in our lives and who shouldn’t.  I had to need Him first and foremost, and if I had developed such a close bond with another lady, I would not have recognized my dependence on Him.

“My” Suzanne and I are very different:  she’s creative in many forms of design/art and I like a pattern/instructions, she sees the big picture while I focus on the details, and she can freely express her feelings while I am more fearful and am a people pleaser.  God designed us both, and purposed this friendship before creation itself.  We are good for each other.  We love Jesus together.

I am so grateful!

Fast forward to 2017…

God is growing me again; my BFF has moved away!

I’ve cried, I’ve expressed my anger at God, and I’ve contemplated (for a split second only) if I should shy away to reduce the pain.  These emotions are normal.  I know.  And what I now know better than ever is that this friendship, built on the love of God, is forever.  No matter how distant we may be in miles, we’ve got each other.

Unlike all the times I’ve said “goodbye” over the years, this separation feels different.  I’m not worried about losing contact.  We are connected through our sharing of tears, laughter, prayers, encouragement, and even strong words to get each other back on track.

Did I mention Suzanne a the most incredible cook?  She is!  She is famous for her warm smile, big hugs, and generous hospitality.  She can put an amazing dinner together for a large group with next to little notice, and can plan and pull off a party of any theme.  (I know this from personal experience.)  Suzanne is also known for mentoring young ladies and being “Momma” to countless young adults.  (More about these relationships at another time…)

If you don’t have a BFF, ask God for one.

Ask Him to do the choosing, and then wait expectantly.  In the meantime, be more dependent on Him than ever before, and cultivate your precious relationship with Him.  You will find great peace and will be ready for that girl friend when He puts her in your life.

Today I am sharing one of her family’s favorite dinners:  Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas.  The next time you want to feed a crowd whip up some of these (and invite me over!)

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME!

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FEATURED FAVORITE RECIPE: “MOMMA” SHERWOOD’S GREEN CHILI CHICKEN ENCHILADAS