Two Very Wise Men.

It seems that no matter the event in my life, be it very happy or very sad, King George always has the perfect song to sing to my heart. This weekend, he reminded me of just how blessed I am to have two of the truest friends a girl could know. Niki and Teresa have been beside me for every joy and held my hand through every sadness. We've twirled and two-stepped our way through the good and the bad and they're the first in my mind when life presents a new twist. When we we're "little girls" four years ago in Texas, we played one George song over and over and over again. And while the lyrics were written for a little more of a romantic relationship, I would like to think that Mr. Strait was thinking of us when he sung the chorus.

You know me better than that
You know the me that gets lazy and fat
How moody I can be
All my insecurities
You've seen me lose all my charm
You know I was raised on a farm
Oh she tells her friends I'm perfect
And that I love her cat
But you know me better than that

Its the MOST special thing to have true friends like that. Friends who have seen you at your worst, and know how great you can be at your best. Friends who have rubbed cake all in your face when you've started to take yourself too seriously, and then proceeded to consume the rest of that cake with you - lazy fat and happy all together. Friends who know your imperfections, share your hopes, encourage you to pursue your dreams, love you when you're riduculous and fill you back up when you're empty. I would not be the person I am without these two, and as long as I have their tan hands to hold, I know we will always be able to walk forward, one foot in front of the other.

But as great as George's wise lyrics can be, and as special as my sweet friends are, no one knows how to speak to my heart like my Jesus. I am the queen of ignoring his wisdom and stubbornly plowing headlong down my very own path. Thank you, thank you, thank you God for being stronger than I. Thank you for yanking me back to your side when I wander away from seeking your plan for my life. Thank you for longing to share my joys when I'm standing on the mountain and walking by my side through the valley. Thank you that no matter how far I run away, it only takes one step to turn around and return to you. Thank you for being my joy, my hope, my peace. My protector, my lover, and my Lord... Thank you for loving me enough to break my heart so that I can bring glory to you. Thank you for being a jealous God and desiring all of my affections and focus. Thank you for holding me in your strong hands and never letting me down. Thank you for being the only one that I can truly trust, truly rely on, and never make a wrong decision when my heart longs to seek your will. Thank you Jesus for loving me like none other.

With this in mind, I have found such peace in the words of another very wise man. St. Patrick of Ireland, who himself had wandered away from the love of God, and through trials and pain was brought back to serve, once wrote these beautiful words. Oh that I could live by them each and every moment of my life.

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

Thank you Jesus. You are always right.