A Different Fave Friday!

I have had a rough week.
Well, the beginning of the week.
Last night I had victory in an area that I have been bringing to the Lord for quite some time.
Have been dealing with some "baggage" from my past and it has totally been orchestrated by God. But...even though I know I had to deal with some of this "stuff", it still was difficult because I can be so stubborn about what I want to cling to and what I want, or need, to let go of.

It has been a spiritual battle.
But...I guess in these kinds of battles (emotional/spiritual) is where true growth can occur. At least that is how it has always been with me.

I don't have the time or energy to do the typical Fave Five Friday thing. (Susanne, I know you will understand this!! :) )

I do want to do a "tribute" for lack of a better word, to the friend who came alongside me in this and with whom the Lord has begun a wonderful friendship.

I have alluded to this in an earlier post titled "Never Letting Go". I encourage you to read that, not because I am such a great writer or have such important things to say but because if you are struggling with spiritual intimacy or just feeling alone, God can provide for you! You need to ask Him but...He DOES provide for His children....He WANTS to fill our needs.
We have to learn to accept His gifts sometimes but......He does provide what we need when we need it!

So.... I am giving glory to God for providing this fairly new friend.
Her name is Candace.
I did a quick google search and found that the most common definition for her name is "clarity, whiteness, glowing". Candace is mentioned in the NT...she was a queen in Ethiopia.

Well, I find it interesting that her name has the word "whiteness" in it. White is one of my favorite shades. I chose white on white appliances when we built this house and I haven't changed them. I chose white flooring in the kitchen, (although we have upgraded that floor!) and white countertops. I like white because it reminds me of purity. Something I have often not felt. I have not always felt "pure", you know? I really can't get into why but.....it has taken alot of work to actually realize that in God's eyes I am pure. That He sees me as pure and not tainted.

And Candace is pure. She has a pure heart.
She helped me to regain that sense of being pure in God's eyes last night. She was willing to just pray and listen.

and glowing? My friend glows with the love of Christ.
Last nite she heard some stuff come out of my mouth that was difficult for me to share and I am sure, very difficult to listen to. Yet, she stayed with me, and prayed with me, and for me, and never let me give up. This is the kind of friend I have been yearning for. I feel humbled that she would give up an entire day to just be there for me. To help me get reconnected with my God and Savior. To help me do the right thing and speak truth from lies that were bound up in my heart.

I am learning that God places people in our paths for reasons. I mean, we all know this, right? It is kinda basic. But....He really does!
He knows just what we need! It is amazing to me.
So...thank you Candace, if you are reading this.

I thank God that she left her heart open and doesn't judge me or condemn me. She is a really busy person with her 3 children and this awesome ministry she leads at our church. She loves the Lord and knows Scriptures and can always manage to touch on the perfect one that speaks to me! And I am praying that I can do the same for her when needed.

The best part is that she just knows how to listen and doesn't try to "counsel" or "fix". She just is there. And the friendship doesn't "feel" like it is one-sided. I don't know if you know what I mean. But....we can actually share with each other the deep things in our hearts and there is like this connection. And spiritual intimacy in friendship is something I desire and I believe is very necessary for each and every Christian. It doesn't happen with every single friend you have. I believe God arranged this because my heart was finally willing to admit that I cannot do my life on my own. And yet, He knew exactly the kind of friend I needed.
He has blessed my husband and I with so many good people. Aquaintances, new friends, a church pastor who is phenomenal, other parents and couples whom we relate to.
And yet...spiritual intimacy was lacking in most of my close women friends. I could only go so deep with my "best friends", you know? And yet, He saw fit to provide this new "best friend" who just gets it. Who gets the "true friendship" thing. And His timing is just amazing.

so...that is my favorite thing from this past week: a true friend, who is also a sister in Christ. I cannot wait to see what else the Lord is gonna do with this friendship!

How about you?
do you have a fave moment this week?
if so, hook up with Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story and share it with us!

Have a blessed weekend!