Thursday, January 15, 2009

Whoever finds a friend...

Meeting friends from this blog world is such a sweet gift. I met many at the She Speaks conference last summer and the bonds remain across the miles. I cherish you all!! Yesterday was such a blessing to me so I must share. Camera's and I do not get along but....
I journeyed to Wichita Kansas to meet up with our blogger friend Yolanda from Higher Ground. It was our halfway point between our two homes. I had 3.5 hours of God time on the way there and back plus the 3.5 hours of friendship time there. My husband asked me if all the travel time was worth it and I replied "Yes, OH YES!". Why?
For the first time in five years I sat down with someone who has shared in my pain. I was able to talk and reflect on where I have come in my life and where I am with God without remorse or regret for sharing. I walked away from that meeting with peace, not worried that I shared too much or that I would be rejected. There was a heart sitting on the other side of that lunch table that was just like my memory verse of last week from James 3:17-18-pure, peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy, impartial, sincere. There was no pain in the conversations as we shared our journey's and our past. There was instead praise for how we have traveled and where God is now taking us.

In this dear sweet friend, God showed me I need to allow more time between my past and His plans. God showed me hope for what my hearts longs to be doing in ministry. I am even more secure in Him and the path I am on (Deut. 33:12).

I so recommend getting together across the miles. We have so much to offer each other, so many blessings to bestow on God for this blog ministry and our blog friendships.

I so appreciate all of you and would love to have lunch with each and everyone of you! Hummmm....there's a thought!

His Maidservant~Pamela

9 comments:

Yolanda said...

May God get all the glory!!

I'm sitting here, literally, with tears streaming down my face with grattitude for those hours together. 3.5 hours going, 3.5 hours going and 3.5 hours sharing hearts, hurts, and HEALING.

I'm so thankful, Friend, for your sweet aroma rising to OUR SAVIOR! Your a keeper in this walk of life!!!

The Healer that put our paths together...for such a time as this!

LOVE YA,
Yolanda

Jill Beran said...

Great words Pamela - I enjoy you sharing and agree so much in the value of sitting with a fellow sister and sharing our hearts. There is power there and He works during those visits. I was blessed with one last week and can relate to your words about the time well spent.
Blessings on the day,
Jill

LisaShaw said...

Wonderful message Pamela. I'm so glad the two of you were able to meet in person. Fellowship with sisters in Christ in person is such a blessing and when you don't have it you miss it so we must appreciate it all the time.

Bless you.

Carol said...

Pamela,

I was stopping by to catch up on your blog. How exciting that you got to meet your friend Yolanda, I'll have to make a visit to her blog.

Anyway I loved your prayer entry, and I do believe that on the night God had you with the youth, that you reached who God intended your message to hear. Sometimes we never know the seeds that are planted.

My dh spoke to a post college group over 6 months ago, and no one really said much, but this past Tuesday a girl who was there came up and said to him I wanted to Thank you for speaking at the college event it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Have a blessed day.

:)Carol

Paula V said...

That's wonderful, Pamela. It is a blessing to meet the wonderful ladies with which we blog. I have some close to me and one I just may travel 3-4 hours to meet or maybe she can met half way like you did. I love your answer to your hubby.
Blessings,
Paula

LynnSC said...

Oh Pamela... I am so jealous. I would love to spend time with all my bloggy friends.

I am so glad that you were able to meet up with Yolanda. I stand amazed at the way God puts friendships together, The ladies in my Bible study are so dear to me... God put us together. Out of the 9 other ladies... I invited less than half of them... God did the rest. HE knows all things.

Blessings,
Lynn

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I wonder where our "half-way" point would be?

Darn it.

peace~elaine

TeriAnnElizabeth said...

Oh my goodness!! I have not been keeping up and I had no idea you and Yolanda got to meet!!!

You guys are like my "sisters" because we know and understand what it's like to need HIS grace so badly because we don't see alot of it here through people. Sadly, not even through people who are supposed to be reflecting HIM...I often think that they have forgotten to clean the mirror.

You guys are so far from me!! I am not jealous..I promise...but I want to hang out with you all. Maybe we can manage it?

Love you bunches!
Teri

Lelia Chealey said...

AWESOME!!! Kelley & I have been talking of planning a women's retreat...be praying ladies. We all live to close to not bring women together and share of the greatness He has graciously poured out in each of our lives.
Love you both,
Lelia