My Cup of Tea

I read the book "Three Cups of Tea" by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin a few months ago. I have the worst memory. But, one thing that sticks with me from the book is that someone asked "With all of the pain and suffering in the world, how can God ignore it?" I too wrestle with this especially when I think of starving children all over the world. In the book, someone answers "God did do something. He sent you." Bam! Hits me in the heart and soul each time I remember it. It makes me want to be a better friend to everyone. One of our pastors months ago hit on this. God is everywhere. He is in you. He is in me. When you are being hugged by a dear friend, it is the arms of God hugging you. When you get a phone call asking how you are, God is speaking through this person.

I had 11 friends come to my mom's calling hours. Eleven! I had three come to her funeral. Three! Words cannot express how much love and support I felt. Someone commented how much I held it together at the calling hours. When you have the love and support of your friends, you can stand and talk to others about your Mom. You can hug them and make a little joke. You can hug your Dad and tell him it will be OK. You can pull it together. You really can.

I have written time and time again on cards "Sorry for your loss." "My heart is with you." "We will pray for you." I meant it every time I wrote it. And this week, I believed everything I read, heard and saw. God was with me through my friends and I am the luckiest woman alive. We have had a rough 2008. It was rougher than I could ever write about online and share with even my closest friends. But, I can tell you. I feel so blessed. I feel the love. I really do.