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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

An Unexpected Friendship


On Saturday morning, I sat across the table from a woman and listened to her story for three hours. We didn't plan for it to be three hours, it just turned out that way. Later, she emailed me and apologized for talking that long. I told her not to say that! I thoroughly enjoyed talking to her-- every bit of the time we spent together was precious. Truth is, I wish we had had more time.

I am still marveling at the way God brought us together, and the timing of it, and how intricately He weaves all of our lives. When the time is right, He crosses this random thread with that one, seamlessly weaving us into a pattern we never envisioned.

Does anyone remember this post? Well at the time I wrote it, I never would have imagined that someday, I would be sitting across the table from that boy's mom. And yet, through my blog and her blog, we got connected and agreed that we needed to meet. I wanted to hear her story, how she's doing now, and tell her how much following her story on her blog has meant to me as the mother of a teenage son.

During our meeting, my son called me. He is looking at cars and wanted me to take care of something for him. I hurried him off the phone and looked at her, wondering how that made her feel. Her son died in a car wreck one week to the day that they handed him the keys to his car. She nodded. "I know," she said. "I remember." Grace lit her face as she spoke volumes in those four words.

What I respected about Tammy is that she didn't spend the time we had dwelling on the tragedy she has lived through. She has spent the last months seeking God and finding His purpose in everything they've faced. She has seen her faith grow by leaps and bounds, and has been surprised at the response she has received from other grieving moms who have found her through her blog. She tells the truth with eloquence and raw beauty, and people respond.

We also ended up spending a good bit of time just talking about how hard it is to raise teenagers and how much we love to write. We went from being strangers, to being acquaintances, to being friends in the span of those three hours. Only God could take a random blog post typed out in the heat of the moment last summer and forge an unexpected friendship from it. I am grateful for the many ways blogging has blessed my life. This was yet another one.
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8 comments:

Sandra in Phx said...

I just love that song by James Taylor. Something so very raw about it that makes me tear up every time.

I am glad you got a chance to sit with this lovely woman. What a blessing it must have been!

Debra said...

What a great story Marybeth!
How great for the both of you!

Laurie Ann said...

I do remember that post. Oh...but God. I'm so glad you connected!

Melissa Milbourn said...

I love this post Friend.

Renee Swope said...

Oh Marybeth, this is such a sweet story! I went and read all of Tammy's blog post. She is such a gifted writer!!! Her raw emotions and poignant words absolutely captured my heart and soul. And this morning when I woke up I was out of bed fast so I could linger in the kitchen with Joshua and cook him some breakfast instead of hoping he'd grab cereal. Then we spent time talking on our drive to school - which JJ usually does for me. Tonight I have spent more time with my boys being so powerfully reminded by Tammy's words that each moment is a gift and we never know when it could be our last. I am so glad you shared this and gave us a link to her blog.

Have a great time at Hearts at Home!

Blessings,
Renee

Audra Krell said...

Wow Marybeth, what a powerful, deep post. I love the way God brings His people together. Your next friendship is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Isn't it amazing how God knows when we need the encouragement of certain people at a certain moment? I marvel that He chooses to be so deeply involved in the lives of His children! You would think after all the things He does for us that we would get used to it. And yet, I find that with each unexpected blessing He leaves me with my jaw on the floor, in awe of His provision. Can't wait to hear about your next jaw dropping experience!

awcamp said...

Wow -- what a story -- and what amazing timing God has: that you would be sitting at a table with this woman while your son is looking at cars. Thank you for sharing. As Renee said, it reminds us that every moment is precious!Ann