Good Gifts Indeed

Now Playing: The Reckoning by Needtobreathe

Tonight during (as in, in the middle of) Intervarsity, I was surprised with cupcakes, the sweetest card, and hugs from some of my closest friends. This is only the second time I've ever had a surprise for my birthday (I believe) and the first time was last year. I was surprised by the most precious middle schoolers with cupcakes and the best present EVER! Tonight made me really miss those guys, my heart hurts to no be able to hug and talk and be goofy with them. But I know God is in their midst and working on something crazy awesome. Oh how I miss them....

I've been thinking lately about how awesome it is that God gives us very similar friendships at different times in our life (or even the same time and in different places). Friends that are our mentors and hold us accountable, friends to laugh with and keep us sane.

This is NOT to say that these relationships are interchangeable or that one is replaceable. NO, I need each one of these people in my life for different reasons and I cannot imagine not having had them in my life when they were there, and even now.

For instance: I have two "Mama's". Well, I have my Mom, my Marmie who I love like no other. But I also have those mentors who you swear adopted you, and they would admit to that too. Back in Chatt there's Mama Jean, who is so precious to me and has listened and let me cry and made me laugh. We've traveled together and she's been ever so gracious to let me into her home and try to help mentor one of her sons. And up here in Maryville I've got Caroline, my Korean Mama. Who is equally as precious with whom I talk and laugh and cry and, yes she let's me into her home and befriend her only daughter and (I'm not sure if she's knows this yet or not) but pretend to "mother-hen" over her youngest boys.

Then there's Sarah who is an artist and although we have such different ideas and opinions and see things from completely different perspectives she is my girl. In a sort of way Katelyn is. Of course they are polar opposites as far as personality and background (hahahaha) but the way our hearts are knit together is very similar.

There's Grady who reminds me so much of my brother, except for the fact that I love my brother waaaaaay more and I will forever be closer to him. But they act very similar and often times hanging out with Grady makes me miss Micah and oh so thankful for the relationship that we have with each other now. I adore my siblings, but Micah and I are closer to each other and I'm more than okay with that.

Even Dr. Schneibel reminds me of Dr. Renneisen and I'm so thankful for the fellow lover of literature. Someone who I know will challenge but not discourage my studies and desire to teach such a dynamic subject.

I just think it's neat how God says, "I know you so much better than you know yourself. And sometimes you need certain types of people in your life." He's given me so many more people in both places that are not on this list because they are just one of a kind, or because our friendship is just crazy haha.

But what I know is that I am so overwhelmed by the people that God puts in my life. Sometimes I think that I rely on them too much. But God is gracious and my heart is always drawn towards Him. My Father gives GOOD gifts, indeed. :)