Groundwork

I told you my big news this past week - I have a new job! I'm so excited about this adventure and can't wait to share more with you as I make this transition. But to me, part of the absolute BEAUTY of this journey is the background. And over the next couple of days (I first typed "years" - no, no, no!!) I want to share with you the things God has done.

It all started here. Last November, I went to WBCL Radio to be a guest on the November Author! Author! Mid-Morning program. I could have called in like the rest of the guests interviewed that day, but I really wanted the full experience, and Miss Gaytha encouraged me to go, so I went.

As I read that post again today, I couldn't help but notice this line tucked in at the end. Not sure what I was referring to at the time but it gives me goose bumps now: I loved the feedback they gave me, and I loved knowing God was and is at work behind the scenes of even a radio spot!

Clearly I had no idea just how much He was at work.

I was the last guest that day, so I stayed after for a few minutes to talk to Lynne, the host, and Jamie, the producer. I cannot tell you the incredible draw I had toward the friendship of these two women. I really cannot. I left the station that morning wishing I lived closer. Wishing I could be their real-life friend because they seemed kindred spirits.

That evening I got online to email both of them and thank them for their graciousness that day. Jamie beat me to it. She had already written me and in her message, she said she'd never emailed a guest like that before, but she felt a friendship connection with me that day and wondered if I'd be willing to meet up for coffee and strike up a friendship.

And we did just that. After a few weeks of emailing and getting to know one another, we met at Starbucks one afternoon and spent a couple of hours just sharing our stories. And in the months that have followed, we have continued to email regularly, share stories, laughs, God-moments, prayer requests, great ideas, dreams, and all manner of things of which a good friendship is made.

And once a month or so, we meet up in person - for coffee or dinner - or both. She has encouraged my life in ways I cannot put into words. And then came...a God thing.