" Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."I am so blessed by the relationships God has put into my beautiful life, and like I asked on Facebook, tonight I reflect on what have those Godly relationships give me. Sunday after the show I was in and after dinner with Kayla Marie, my oldest adopted sister, we spent the evening laying in my front yard. It was a perfect evening to finish off a hectic weekend of shows. We didn't talk about anything in particular but just hung out and embraced the beauty around us. Our relationship is so beautiful and so different to me because she is a fighter and fought through so much to show that she cares. I first met her as an 11 year old camper back in '07 not knowing the huge impact she would have on my life. I loved Kayla as a counselor because she was different than everyone else and I clung to that, and her as a camper. I would walk up hills that were terribly steep and force myself to carry her backpack. I used to think it was funny to wipe peanut butter on her back and hide her back pack all around camp. It wasn't so funny though when her and some of her counselor buddies hid in the woods apparently "kidnapped by a serial killer." I cried, no I bawled at the idea of losing her only to find out it was just a prank. When we reconnected last summer I had no idea that we would become as close as we are now. So close in fact shes passed out right next to me while I write this. She has fought for our relationship from day one, making our once a month reunions a success from hiking to concerts, to recording demos to just laying around as I hack up a lung. Our bond and relationship is so different because we know when the other person isn't okay. We have been able to be there for each other through all of those times praying, crying, yelling, talking and texting, just to remind the other person they're not alone. I thank God everyday for her story and beautiful life. Like I have said before she is a person that is able to bring out the best in me even out of my worst attitudes. Sunday being a beautiful example and reminder of one of the beautiful relationships God has given me.
About an hour after Kayla left Sunday I got a random phone call which I would find out later was not so random. It was Em calling to chat for a little while but I wasn't expecting the beautiful conversation that followed. I think it started with her telling me she had read my blog I wrote about my jealousy of her. In that moment my heart dropped thinking I looked like a crazy person but she expressed how beautiful she thought it was and that it made her cry. We then started talking about our stories of our lives in the past few years. It was such a beautiful conversation because it was so raw, honest and real. I could hear a quiver in her voice as she talked about life. I told her my story and although the are drastically different and based out of different lies and temptation there is something huge we have in common. Something that is very hard on both our hearts. I can't remember if I said it but, Em when you read this I want you to know that you are loved, perfect, enough, beautiful and worth so much to Jesus, me and the rest of your "duck family". Your worth doesn't come from a grade on a piece of paper, a perfected dance number or even your amazing boyfriend. It comes from whose child you are: A CHILD OF GOD. I've only known Em for about half a year but I can already tell that God has big things for her life. He has big things in store for our friendship and I am so blessed to get to walk alongside her in her journey with Christ.
I of course cannot forget my curly haired older sister/ mama duck/ youth pastor. What has our relationship given me? To put it simply hope. Hope that things will be okay, that I am worth more than I'm going through. Hope that one day I will become as strong as she is that I am able to lead others to the Kingdom. For the past two years Lindsey has stood by me and watched me crumble into a heaping mess and watched me soar as I have learned to embrace the freedom the cross offers. Even when I so desperately beg to give up and give in, to take the easy way out she has encouraged and loved me. Was it easy all the time being asked hard questions I really didn't want to answer? No at the moment it sucked having to answer them. Am I thankful for each conversation we've had like that? So thankful because it was often in those conversations God was able to break and speak to my heart in order rebuild it. Have we had a yelling match here and there? Uh yep. Cried together? More than I could have imagined. As I head into my senior year in the fall I cannot wait to see what hard conversations, and beautiful moments God has in store. Of course even outside of youth group when I graduate I think we will still me close. It's going to being very hard to sever the bond that has been created in the past two years and I am so blessed to be able to say God stitched in together. Even when our lives part with our new jobs, and new families I hope I never lose my curly, seal laugh sister.
I'm going to finish this up with the lyric video to the song the title is based off of. I heard it back at the Indians game with my fellow ducklings and mama duck. While you listen, seriously ponder on the beautiful gift of relationship God has given us. So I ask, what have the relationships God has blessed you with given you?
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