(Becky, me and Kim – Teresa was taking the picture…)

Forty and fifty something women in flannel pajamas.  Laughing from the depths of our bellies.  Chocolate.  Brushing each other’s hair.  Sharing secrets.  Playing games ’til one in the morning.  An older version of  the junior high sleepover.  That was my night last night.  We were ridiculous and silly and completely relaxed.  And it was glorious.

God took three women that I knew from various places and brought them together last night in a way I would have never thought possible.  Until last night, none of them knew each other.  And by this morning, they each had two new friends and new “happy wrinkles” on their faces.

There were others that were not able to make it last night and we missed their presence.   But it was such a wonderful, enriching time last night that we will do it again and again and those who couldn’t be here last night will have many more opportunities.  They have no idea what they missed….

These women have all greatly impacted my life and have made me feel as if I have been here forever.  Their acceptance, open hearts, senses of humor, deep love for God and their ability to be as real as it gets, draw me in like a warm cabin in the woods on a cold, wintry day.  As if I were their long lost friend that they had been waiting for all these years.  I don’t know how else to explain it.  But I know without a single doubt that these are the women that God prepared for my arrival here.  And they are simply amazing.  And I am simply thankful beyond words….

Because of all they have given, my prayer was that last night would be a night of retreat and rest and fully being just a girl for a night with no one to serve and no obligations to meet.  And God answered big time.  The evening went from sweet conversations about God, our struggles, our joys to the complete ridiculous giggling like teenagers.  Everyone felt safe to share and everyone was so at ease with building one another up.  It was a beautiful thing.  At one point I smiled to myself as I sat in my big chair in the family room and watched what was happening before me.  Three women who hours ago were strangers were now encouraging one another, laughing with one another, finding kindred spirit, enjoying being surrounded by like minded females.  And they were doing the majority of the talking and I got to watch and listen for a time.  This amazed me as the host.  But then again, these are extraordinary ordinary women.  Real and down to earth, but deep and fun and loving and hilarious.  A beautiful picture of what God had in mind when He created woman.  And He gave us a glimpse of His smile on us last night.  I think I might have even heard Him laughing a time or two 🙂

Thank You, Jesus, for a wonderful night with wonderful women.  Thank you for these friends that show me daily Your love for me.  Help me to love them the same way.  Help our sleepovers to extend to the women we meet everyday – women that are hurting or overwhelmed or angry or lost.   Help them to hear Your heart when we are with them and to sense Your smile on their beauty as women and as Your princess bride.   And give them the freedom and security to be able to one day giggle, too….