An old friend is one who you have done life with. And one who reminds you who you are.
She is a remembrance to you of all the things you were, but had forgotten you were. She tells you back your own story and fills in the gaps where your own memory has been eroded. All from her unique perspective.
Yesterday we had a long overdue morning together at the spa that ended in a quiet lunch in a corner of a hotel restaurant.
And I told her a story. And I wondered aloud to her what would happen through my story. And she reminded me of something that had happened to me when we were 20.
When we lived together in college, I worked at the campus library. I shelved books, lent books out, checked books in. I was the queen of circulation for three years.
On day, a Christian professor who I didn’t know stopped me in the library. He looked straight into my eyes, and almost as if he was startled by his own response, told me in a very serious way that God was going to do amazing things through me.
I’d totally forgotten about that.
Evidently I’d come home and told my roommate about what had happened. And for some reason she remembered.
So yesterday, fifteen years later, she reminded me.
We don’t even remember which prof it was, but his forgotten but now unearthed words remind me of who I am.
It makes me believe that I CAN write this book.
That I CAN tell my own story.
That God WILL be amazing in me.
And the thing is, fifteen years ago, those words meant little. But now, they mean everything.
Thank you Lisa, for reminding me who I am.
Thank you anonymous professor, for seeing something of my future in me.
Thank you readers, for being the eyes and ears to my journey.
Wow. All I can say is that your professor was right. In the little time I’ve known you, you’ve done great things right here… I can only imagine how amazing it will be when you spread your wings to the rest of the world.
Keep writing. I’m always anxious to read more.
I have one friend that brings me back. Time and again she reminds me of my authentic self. It’s home when I’m with her. She makes me remember.
Wow! That’s so cool! It’s amazing to think that our words could be impacting someone’s life 15 years from now.
And I love your perspective on those old friends who can fill in our back stories.
so good.
sounds to me like this profs. words, and lisa’s reminder, are really just God giving tangible proof to His plan for you.
someone once said to me, “go back to what you know for sure.” it is a sentence that almost daily reminds me to go back to God’s truth about me or a circumstance.
so my encouragement to you when you get discouraged in writing (in anything) is to “go back to what you know for sure.”
“God is going to do amazing things through you.”
Gitz – thanks. i will keep writing!!
#17 – i love that. “authentic self”. great words.
Mary – thanks. i think they do fill in our back stories.
denise – perfect. “go back to what you know for sure”. so true. miss you friend!!
Thank you for continuing to share your life through your beautiful blog. Yep, God's going to do amazing things through you. He already has!!
p.s. when can we get together again?
XO
Elizabeth Esther
what a great friend
to store away encouragement for you for years to come
I have one..Jenny Boyko…I know whether its 2 am or any other time..she is ready to pray for me in a heartbeat…and she is one of my only friends who actually mail me encouragement cards, I love to mail them out to other people…she mails some back to me adn its amazing. Does it at just the right times to.
Elizabeth – soon! yes, lets hang out!
Jessica – i agree – cards in the mail are priceless.
the best kind of friend is one who helps us see ourselves in the right light. i’m glad she did that for you.
and your prof was SO right. i’m grateful to be journeying with you however i can.
My friend Alli, who has officially been my friend longer than she hasn’t now that we are in our mid-twenties. I wrote about her last month on my blog after a day together and have realized since then that she knows all of my stories better than I do including my fears, my failures, my joys and my hopes, even when I can’t see them.
Also I just wanted you to know that I love the writing that seems to be pouring out of you lately Sarah, thank you
i love how God used Lisa to remind you of that moment in time.
God is doing great things through you my friend.
i love you sar!!