The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Growing up I have had many different friendships, all at many different levels.  Most of them have lasted for a season of my life, but I do have one friendship that has lasted for 20 years.

I met Erica when we were in 6th grade (both 11 years old).  When you ask her what she first thought of me, she will say that she was a little intimidated by me and my big ol mouth straight forward personality (some things never change) and I thought she was too quiet, or too much of a goody two shoes.  But, nonetheless, we became friends.  We went to the same middle school where we were on the same 7th grade pep squad and 8th grade cheerleading team.  In high school, we hung out with pretty much the same crowd, went to lots of during after school activities together and even rode to our Senior prom in the same limo.  After our high school graduation, most of our friends all kind of went our separate ways.  Erica and I, however, always seemed to maintain our friendship and could always pick up right where we left off, even if we hadn't talked for a while.  At one point we even worked for the same company and we were pregnant together.

    

I will never forget the day she told me that she had received Jesus Christ and was quitting her dancing career with the Dallas Desperados.  I didn't even know what that meant, to receive Jesus Christ, I just knew that she had changed a lot and was making a lot of changes in her life.  Even though I didn't understand what she was doing, or why, I continued to be friends with Erica (sadly, many of our mutual friends didn't).  Erica would often talk to me about the Lord, but I didn't understand the language she was speaking.  I was of the world, and even though the things she said to me sounded good - I wasn't really up for having to change my lifestyle nor did I have an open heart to hear what she was saying.  But, our friendship still continued.

Then, on July 24, 2009 - I knew exactly what she was talking about!  That is the day I received Jesus Christ into my life.  I was at my house, in my bedroom - and I fell to my knees and cried out to Jesus.  I called her and told her and I don't know who was more excited in that moment - her or me?!  It was then that she told me that she had been praying for my salvation every single day since the day she was saved on May 14, 2003.   It was, and still is, the single best gift anyone has ever given me.   If you ask her about it, she will tell you that at times she just didn't even know what that would look like, for me of all people, to be saved since I was so far in the deep end.  But she never gave up and knew that God was able.

I am still humbled and brought to tears when I think that someone loved me as much as Erica did, to be that intentional about praying for me every single day - and trusting God to do His work in my life.  I am brought to tears even more by knowing that even with all of the unconditional love Erica has shown me, God still loves me more. 

This week Erica's husband, Chris, was speaking at the YFN camp at the Christ for the Nations Institute.  She asked me to attend, just like she has for the past 2 or 3 years, and Bruno and I attended with our two oldest girls.  Chris' message was so powerful and clearly inspired by the Holy Spirit that I recommitted my life to Christ this past Monday.  We went back with our girls to hear his second message on Wednesday, and Alyssa, one of our daughters, received Jesus Christ into her life during another powerful message that Chris delivered.

I am in awe of God as I type this blog.  I am also very grateful for Him bringing Erica into my life 20 years ago.  It's amazing at how our friendship was hand orchestrated for her to pray for my salvation, and for Him to use Erica's husband and his message to inspire Alyssa to receive Jesus Christ. 

I have often whined felt that I have a hard time with friendships, particularly maintining them, in my adulthood.   But I am finally at a place where I really trust that God knows what He is doing, specifically with my friendships.  Some friends will be woven closer than others, but I am so glad that He has woven Erica and I as tightly together as He has, a chord that cannot easily be broken.

Erica, if you are reading this - I love you girl!  Thank you for the wonderful gift of unconditional friendship, for being my cheerleader, my encourager, my voice of reason when I am being completely irrational (ha!), having the courage to tell me when I was in the wrong and for praying for my salvation.  Even though we don't get to see each other as often as we'd like you are always in my heart.

For everyone else reading this blog - I am a direct product of an answer to what seems like an impossible prayer.  I encourage anyone reading this to pick one person that you know that has not received Jesus Christ into their life and pray for them incessantly in the same way that Erica prayed for me.  It could be a complete game changer for your friend or family member and for their children and their children's children.