Hello, beautiful you! Ordering your latte, or pushing your grocery cart down the cereal aisle. You – the one in the carpool lane each day at the end of the school day. Fabulous you, who works ten hour days and makes time each night for bedtime kisses.
You are amazing with your hands that knead dough, or turn patches of soil into vegetable gardens. You are grace when you sit by the hospital bed, speaking prayer words that fill up the spaces.
You speak love without words – you lean closer to listen when he’s had a tough day, and that means the world to him.
You cut coupons and learn how to knit and to sew. You run 5Ks and marathons and make cupcakes with sprinkles. Your laughter lights up the air we all breathe and when you pass by us, your heart whispers grace.
You are a gift to this big world of ours. God knew we’d need you. God knew you’d dazzle us all!
~~~
There’s something special about the friendships of women.
Who are the women God uses in your life to light up your own little world? Tell us what makes them shine!
Leave a Comment
PJ says
Deidra, As I read each word, the image of my friends came in front me, so very much a light to me as you describe. I am blessed, here in these suburbs, because I have one dazzling smile in each of the areas where I spend my time: Church, school and the baseball fields. And no matter where I’ve been, and how it’s gone, I know the day is going to be better, just because they are going to be there! Thank you for reminding me today!
Lisa H says
Deidra,
God is pounding this in my head and heart right now. Yesterday my best friend wrote something for me to write down for myself to help me get through Mother’s Day that is quickly approaching. I do not have a relationship with my mother by her choice. I finally faced that last year with 8 months of counseling after supressing it for about 9 years. This year the holidays, birthdays etc all seem to have a deeper sting to them. We didn’t prepare for birthdays back in March and I backslid into depression very hard. So for Mother’s Day she is helping me face it, acknowledge the hurt, accept what will never be and move past it. Not hide it, not ignore it but face it. What this friend wrote is really a prayer for me to say to God and this sentence really spoke to me: “So on this weekend, I choose instead to focus on the women who have made a difference in my life: Aunt Phyllis, Roni, Betty. I am thankful that you have given them to me to show me that I can be loved in a nurturing and unconditional way and this does not have to come from my mother to make it real and powerful in my life.”
God placed some great women in my life who are amazing example of Christ’s love. This is why they shine so brightly!
Lisa
Deidra says
Isn’t it just like God to fill us up where we’re lacking? He has provided amazing women to fill in the gaps for you! I’m rejoicing right along with you, Lisa! So thankful that you’ve shared this. And…I will be thinking of you this Sunday as you make your way through Mother’s Day. I pray that the Light will shine bright for you!
Paola Pacheco Rarick says
You made me cry!!!! That’s all I have to say!
Southern Gal says
This is beautiful. The friends that light up my world shine by being fully there. Encouragers who love me in spite of my faults. They pick me up when I’m down and celebrate with me when the time comes. I only hope to be as much of a friend to them.
Stacey says
What a sweet word of encouragement! Love this!
Holley Gerth says
So thankful for YOU, Deidra, and all the ways you brighten up this place and our lives!!
Living the Balanced Life says
Awesome words! Each and every woman is special! May we share love and encouragement with all the women around us!
Bernice
3 gifts to give yourself this Mothers Day
Kristen@Chasing Blue Skies says
YOU! YOU! YOU! You’re a super sweet burst of sunshine, girl!
deidra says
YOU! YOU! YOU Too!!! 🙂
Beth Pederson says
Deidra,
My daughters as I watch them in the scenes you have so beautifully described. My daughters grown are now wonderful friends.
Andrea and Ginny are the other two that come to mind. They pray for me, support me, encourage me, love me well and they are always available in person, by e-mail, text or phone! God indeed knew I needed them!
deidra says
So cool when your kids become your friends, huh?
Deborah says
“You heart whispers grace”……I knew exactly who you were talking about….she just passed by me!
deidra says
It’s perfect when that happens, isn’t it?
Amanda says
I have SO many ladies in my life that I could list here, but here are just a few: Donna (her hugs alone are a ministry!), Vickie (my great encourager), Kelly (such passion for others), Janet (my best friend who always knows just when I need an “I love you!”), Courtney (spiritual guide and nudger), and my sweet grandma Ruth (who prayed to God for me on her own deathbed and whom I can’t wait to hug again!)
Tammy says
Their sweet prayers and they way they make my laugh! I am truly blessed. Loved this post.
blessings on your day
Jennifer says
Speaking love without words. That makes a person shine. That is a gift. Beautiful post Deidra! 🙂
Michelle DeRusha @ Graceful says
I know this woman named Deidra…and I once went on a trip to Alabama with her. One of the first things I noticed was how beautifully gracious and friendly and kind she was to every single person she came in contact with, from the guy who checked our licenses at airport security to the receptionist behind the hotel desk. Deidra, YOU bring out the very best in everyone around you — and YOU make me want to be a friendlier, kinder, more smiley person. Thank you. YOU are grace.
deidra says
And on that same trip you listened to me and said the most perfect words. YOU make me smile!
Sandra Heska King says
You! Beautiful, fabulous, amazing you! Yes, you!
deidra says
And you, my sweet friend! 😉
Jenn says
I have a very dear friend who came into my life when I wasn’t able to trust anyone due to a former friend’s betrayal. But my new friend has been such a blessing. We meet every other Tuesday to talk, pray, and encourage each other. It’s so important to have at least one person to be real with!
Beth Williams says
This is strange, but one good friend is my husband’s EX-Mother-in-Law. She and I can sit and talk about anything and everything. We even do yard sales together.
Marie is a true prayer warrior and friend.
Some other friends include women at Blue Springs Christian Church. We do a Bible studies two times a year. I have gotten to really know and love those women.
Mel says
This is such a beautiful post. 🙂
I love the women I’ve met through blogging. It’s such a blessing to have friends who are willing to read my thoughts and share theirs as well. The blogging world can be a scary place…but also one full of encouragement and love.
I love the women in my weekly Bible study. I met them at a difficult time in life…my hubby and I had just had our first baby, we had just moved back to the States from Asia, and we were new to the area. I just needed friends to support me and love me, and they did just that. Kris, Alison, Karen, Carrie, Kirsten, Melanie, Sarah, Katy, Lori, Judy…they each add something different to my life, but I love them all. 🙂
Anna says
Friends that tell me they will never leave me no matter how difficult the road ahead(pushing away my dark thoughts of being left alone to handle my circumstances). She listens to me vent and allows me to be unveiled without fear and speaks the gospel over me when there are no more words. One friend pushes me to run and talks to me about daily things and doesn’t dwell on the crisis at hand-as if all of life will remain a tragedy. She helps me find the one thing I can be thankful for in the midst of so much unknown. She brings me flowers in a blue vase, a cd of beautiful music, and a smile …on a day that she didn’t know how much I needed someone to lift my head. She pulls me into the light and is brave enough to speak truth to me and uncover the lies. She calls and risks going beyond casual converstation to ask that all to often avoided question,”How are you, really?” I am so thankful for the grace that is has been given to me in my friendships with women.
Teri @ StumblingAroundInTheLight says
So, so thankful for my ‘girl’s group’ – we’ve been together for a couple of years now, doing a Bible study, or just sharing, laughing together, crying together…
What a gift!
Teri
Amy Sullivan says
So as soon as I clicked here, I looked at your picture and not only knew this post would be about friendship, but I also began missing several of my friends. The women in my life who really shine are funny and jump-out-in-front-of-a-car loyal and real.
Karen says
Dear Deidra,
I was just scrolling through some old e-mails and came across your bio and the story “What To Do With The Wilderness.” You talk about a God-send! Our Father knows what we need, when we need it and how to get it to us. It seems I have been in a wilderness for several years now.
I am praying, fasting and reading God’s Word. Of course, I could and should be more diligent. However, it is only by His Grace that I am not consumed. I know there is a writing ministry in me that needs to come forth. It has been a desire of mine even in my younger years. I have grumbled and complained about my wilderness experience(s) but after reading your article I feel the need to share those experiences with others, especially my sisters.
Thank you for allowing God to use you to share with us that we “need to face our wilderness.” I realize now that I have had my back to the wilderness, not wanting to go into uncharted, unfamiliar territory, not wanting to give up my comfort zone. I must start today taking the steps to go on through the wilderness, it’s definitely not going any where. The progress I make is left up to me and with God’s help I know I will make it and be a blessing to others as you have been to me.
Be Encouraged and Be Blessed, my sister. Let God continue to use you mightily. To God Be The Glory For The Things He Has Done!
Saturday Stumbles from Incourage « Joyfully Thriving says
[…] site that provides daily Christian encouragement for women from a variety of amazing women. Read You! and you’ll see what I […]