With a little help from my friend
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Laura and Me--April, 2007~~~~~~~~~~~~
I just discovered my friend, Laura's myspace page. Actually, she's more than a friend. She's actually been my Life Coach and I guess if truth be told, although I'm not in an "official" coaching/client relationship with her now, I still consider her to be my Life Coach for life or as least as long as we're both still breathing.
What is a Life Coach? Oh my, now there's a million dollar question. And I'm not sure that I really can answer, at least completely. To reduce it to mere words is to trivialize it. And frankly it's too big for that. Suffice it to say, that she's been the one to really help me dig deep through all the layers into discovering who I was created to be or as Beth Moore in Believing God might say, "I am who God says I am."
But Laura's actually done far more than that. She's kept me accountable by giving me a fast kick in the wazoo when I needed it. I've learned I won't get away with making up any "stories" or "excuses" around her. Nope, she won't have any of that "intellectualizing" either, which is very difficult, by the way for a professor (hey who said you can't teach an old dog new tricks!) Oh no, that just won't do. She's forced me in a very gentle, loving, but firm way,to be really authentic--the very thing I struggle with the most and the very thing God wants the most from me!
So here's to you, Laura for all that you are and all you are becoming. Thank you for letting the Holy Spirit guide you and for never letting me settle for anything other than His truth for my life. That our paths crossed over something so trivial as a t-shirt is nothing less than miraculous. Don't you just love it? Oh yes, God does have a very funny sense of humor. I am blessed beyond measure to count you as a friend. And as your own mentor might say, "And So It Is."
7 comments:
How's it going Prof? I loved this post! Today I was at the football field and chatting with a friend. I have known this woman for quite a few years but just crossed paths again with her last fall. She is aware that we are involved in church and that I teach a Bible Study, and has told me that her family is a churchgoing family as well. So anyway, today as we were talking she let a swear word slip. Immediately she said, "I shouldn't swear around you, I'm sorry, are you offended?" I just laughed...I looked right into her eye's and said "Lets just agree on one thing right now, I will just be me if you will just be you, I don't want to change you or make you feel like you can't be who you are, because I like you, WHO YOU ARE." She was stunned I think, but that my Prof, is authenticity! It is what we all need in our lives. This girl is nice as she is. If she desires to grow closer to God then God will draw near to her! If she makes any changes in her life, I want it to be out of a love relationship with the Father...not because she feels bad about saying a mild cuss word! Right? Cheryl...I JUST LOVE GOD! I am so humbled when He brings people like this girl across my path! It PUMPS ME UP! So, I have a resounding AMEN to authenticity! Good word Prof!
I AMEN what Teri said. Again and again I love authenticity....nothin but the real deal.
Thanks for sharing your friend with us. I wish I had a picture of me and my "coach." We all need these people in our lives.
Bless you friend.
It's all about authenticity. Beth Moore said on Tues that if we can't be transparent, then we lose a huge part of our personal ministry b/c we lose really being in touch with people. Great post siesta!! Love yOU!!
That is a sweet post! I'm sure she appreciates it...who wouldn't? It is a great tribute.
Thanks for your comment on my blog today...I figured the ipod stuff out okay tonight and downloaded a few songs and I just wanted to say that I think you are right...I think I'm going to LOVE IT! :-)
yes...authentic...that has been one of my words for 2007. (and i need to be better at it myself) love friendships like that! they are THE BIGGEST blessing!
Oh my! Sooooo much I could say here, as you well know. I'll gladly head up the Laura fan club any day. As much as I appreciate words, they really fall short to articulate what Laura means to me. I really trust her to speak the truth to me in love. That's huge! And you know what just hit me? Why didn't I realize before that, indirectly, Laura is responsible for you and me becoming friends?! I mean it happened through Laura ... cherished message boards ... the t-shirt ... God. It is so true that God can and does exercise humor as He works. In the midst of all His work, I am tremendously grateful that He made sure to bring Laura and you into my life. I love you both with all my heart!!!
I love that so much! I am so thankful that we have each other and that God created us for relationship.
Post a Comment