There are 2 kinds of friends in the world. The ones that tell you what you want to hear; and the ones who love you enough to tell you what you need to hear.
My mom is the latter.
We didn’t really get along well through my teen years. I was rebellious and she was scared for me. However, since then she has become one of my very best friends. (There’s always hope for restoration!)
Through the years we have had those hard conversations where she has said “That thing you said/did, that hurt me”…and vice versa. Those honest conversations are the stuff of real, true, deep and lasting relationships.
I truly believe that you have to fight for genuine life-long friendships.
So earlier today I was feeling especially sorry for myself. I have eczema (have since I was a child, and found complete relief for 3 years through a treatment called NAET). It returned after I was given an antibiotic that I am allergic to during my labor with Miles. I’m finding relief once again through NAET – more on this later. So anyway, my skin was itching/hurting as I just started the treatment, Miles is fussy because he is teething all four molars, Henry is acting out, my husband travels often, and my clothes dryer just broke.
Wow, so whiney huh? I’m suddenly realizing how entitled I must really feel.
- To feel like I shouldn’t have any health problems because I “do everything right for my body”
- To not have a fussy baby
- To not expect my 4 year old to exert his own free will.
- To complain about a lifestyle that my husband and I chose together.
- To expect all my appliances to continue working properly for the rest of my life.
This is just real life stuff.
It’s funny/sad how dependent I have become on something like a clothes dryer – when our ancestors functioned just fine without one for thousands of years, and many around the world has never even heard of one.
So, naturally I called my mom, crying of course. My excuse is pregnancy, but really it was just complete self-pity and loss of perspective.
I think that’s why I called her actually. She is always kind, compassionate, but not without honestly. This woman can’t lie to save her life, which I depend on. She often gives me a kind kick in the pants, paired with loving encouragement to redirect me, which is exactly what I needed today. Maybe not what I wanted, but definitely what I needed.
Anyhow, she gave me some wonderful advice, and then prayed for me. She prays simple prayers, not laced with “churchy” language or “old testament” verbage. Just normal words. As if she never forgets that she is simply speaking to someone who loves and cares for her so much. She prayed that I would find a dryer, among other things.
What would you know? 10 minutes later I had purchased one. $899 marked down to $699, and they just offered to give it to me for $400 (because it has some scratches on it). 1 year warranty, 30 day money back no questions asked guarantee. Free next-day delivery, installation, and removal of the old broken one. Plus, when I went to pay, they discovered that purchases over $399 were given a $50 rebate. Wow.
I was blown away.
So I sent Mom a text, thanking her for praying. Here’s her response:
(I had just told her that no one in my life has prayers answered as quickly and specifically as hers)
I hope her words are as inspiring to you as they are to me.
My mom is one to fly under the radar, but she has an amazingly powerful ministry. It’s just not one that you will see anyone tweeting about.
Which is sometimes the most powerful kind.
live well. be well.
