Let's walk through the door.

I sure do love road trips.

... and I love the memories and conversations they carry even more than I do the sites and the sounds of a new place.

I know I'm beginning to sound like a seriously broken record, but I have the most beautiful, wonderful friends. They challenge me. They laugh with me. They even have pillow fights with me.

Yep. You're never too old.

I have this seriously incredible friend. That I don't talk about enough.

I'd like to change that.

Because my goodness, is she wise. and compassionate. and discerning.

A few years ago, I was a teacher's aide in a third grade classroom. and I met the most wonderful family that have grown to seriously adore. Their family, their home, has become such a safe, precious place to me. I could spend hours writing about each one of them. They each carry beautiful pieces of God's heart. But tonight, I'd like to praise Jesus for the oldest daughter. my friend. my lovely, undeserved friend.

... who wasn't always held so near and dear to my heart.

As we were driving back from our road trip this weekend, I looked over and asked, "So... did you ever think we'd be friends like this? Did you ever think in a million years we'd be on a road trip together?"

Her answer: "Nope! Never!"

We laughed about that one.

God is funny. I sure love how He works.

I walked into her home not so long ago and didn't.know.her.

Sure, I said hi a few times. I stood in the kitchen and we chatted about math class for a while. I knew her name, how many siblings she had, where she lived, where she went to church, who she was dating.

But, I didn't know her. Not really.

See, I was the babysitter. Just the girl responsible for glasses of milk and bedtime prayers.

In the beginning, at least.

It's easy to lay low. To be quiet. To be safe. To just smile, say hi, and remain unknown.

To keep every interaction from opening the one door you reallllly don't want to step through.

The door that leads to being known. 


I'm sure I am not at all alone when I say I've been hurt. by people.

But I, along with many of you, have also been intricately put together by God through other people. Real people who cared about my broken spirit, and came alongside. They nurtured my heart by allowing me to talk about the hard stuff, ask questions that may not ever have answers, and they loved me in spite of the parts of me that I feared could never be redeemed.

Through learning to trust, I received a gift that Jesus so perfectly wrapped for me in the form of people: being known. 


This really incredible gift? Jesus offers it to us through you. and through me.

I've unwrapped this gift a number of times, and I get to do it with my sweet friend, Becca, too.

I get to watch with her, learn with her, grow with her.

When we left for Portland last week, I prayed fervently that Jesus would meet us where we were. I prayed that He would continue to provide abundant life and ease of heart.

And He did. Tenfold.

I knew and I know that God always has surprises in store. He always has a perfect plan for His girls.

It's just the way He is. It's His way.

Each of us can walk through this doorway of being known.

He is holding your hand.
And he is holding mine.

Bec,
I seriously love that I get to walk through the vulnerable, beautiful door of being known with you. There is something so special about real life. about road trips, and coffee dates, or drives around the same block fifty times with music blaring. It's not just the laughter you can see instead of just read from a text or hear over the phone. It's not just the sparkle. It's not just the hug or the tears or the awful navigating skills.

It's so much more than that.

It's that we were created for this. To mingle our hearts and personalities together with other people, and with Him. To be so full of His love, that all we can do is give it away.

And man oh man, you, friend, are one of my very favorite ways to see Jesus. to hear Jesus. Your dreams and your prayers and your passions make mine more refined. Your love makes mine deeper. Your hunger and desire and hope makes mine more real.

I don't know what you wonder about. I don't know what you wrestle with. in the middle of night, in the quiet moments, in the stressful places.

But I know this:
You are loved.
You can really do this. all those big dreams are placed on your heart for a reason.
You are chosen for a crazy beautiful purpose.

These things are desperately, wonderfully true.

Not because I dreamed it up. Not because you dreamed it up. Or because you think that might be nice. Or that you've earned it somehow.

It's true because the God who spoke the whole.entire.world into existence calls you His own. And He whispered His heart to you through His word. Through His people. Through his heart.

Psalm 103:11. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him."

Philippians 4:13. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."

Isaiah 43:1. "This is what the Lord says, 'I have called you by name. You are mine.'"

You don't have to just hope. Just wish. Just try. You can in the deepest-parts-of-your-soul know. Trust. Believe. Is it easy? No way. Not in this fallen world.

But I know that God delights in you, sweet friend. He adores you.

He has equipped you with peace, with life, with incredible compassion to further His kingdom.

It is a great honor to be your friend, Becca. Jesus has used you over and over again to draw me closer to His heart.

I have no idea what the next couple of years hold.

But I love knowing that you will be a part of them :)

Love you,
Lyss

Praising God for my friends tonight. for my sisters. for the incredible gift of people. 


Let's cultivate. honor. love.

All to the glory of God.