I want to share a little bit about her...even though she will be chawed that I did!! I heard her husband share his testimony shortly after I got to know Heather. His story is beyond amazing as well....radically...radically changed. He started to share a little bit about Heather's story and I think that is when my sobbing began.
You see Heather married a boy that she dated when she was in high school. They had their wedding...spent their first night together...got up the next day to go on their honeymoon and as they were driving, a car t-boned Nathan's side and caused a horrific crash. Nathan died that day...she believes she heard his last breath and then she lost consciousness. She was injured extensively and had a long road of recovery...but had lost her husband a day after they were married. It's one of those things you hear of in the movies...on the news. But to meet someone who had been through that...it's different. I asked her one day about it...and listened to her voice as it quivered and relived that dreadful day.
She knows that through it all...God was protecting her...that He was faithful...that His plan would unfold in due time. She later married Chad...God had saved them both...brought them back together in His time. They were sweethearts in their early teen years and had drifted apart and God restored their relationship.
God has used them to minister to hurting people, people living in addiction, people living in broken homes...people that just need Christ. I love watching them minister to people. I love hearing their story...it honestly never gets old and I truly believe one day they will have a book and stand on a stage and share their story of redemption and reconciliation.
This past 6 months, my sweet friend has lost 3 grandparents. 3 people who were a huge part of her life. She has experienced loss...felt much grief...hurt beyond belief...enough for 10 people. And yet, through it all, she continues to praise Him...worship Him. She honestly amazes me and I count it an honor and privilege to call her my friend.
She is moving to Texas in a few months and I have to admit...I am devastated. I cried the ugly cry...snapped at my husband when he was trying to find the good in it to which I responded..."there is NOTHING good about this"...and have slowly prepared my heart to not have my sweet friend beside me in Sunday School. To not see her every week and laugh about our crazy kids...our messy homes...our crazy husbands. Don't get me wrong...we will still talk...a lot. We will still see each other...its not an option not to. But just knowing she is that far away...yeah that hurts my heart. I love this sweet friend of mine and I think she is pretty awesome. One of the reasons I have treasured this lady is because with everything she has gone through in her life...broken home...death of a husband...struggles...death of grandparents...she has still praised Him. She still worships Him, even when life is hard. She sees His hand in everything...and for this self proclaimed Ouiser Boudreaux(I can be a little critical) she is a breath of fresh air...a blessing...and a much needed reminder that God and God alone can heal any hurt. She knows that He is the one that she needs!!!
Clairee, I love ya friend...and while I don't know how your holding up on the inside with everything that's going on in your life...your hair is holding up nicely!!! I love ya...more than my luggage.
This song...oh this song. When I heard it, I thought of Heather immediately...it's beautiful...just like her!!!
I come, God, I come
I return to the Lord
The one who's broken
The one who's torn me apart
You struck down to bind me up
You say You do it all in love
That I might know You in Your suffering
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
My heart and flesh may fail
The earth below give way
But with my eyes, with my eyes I'll see the Lord
Lifted high on that day
Behold, the Lamb that was slain
And I'll know every tear was worth it all
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Though tonight I'm crying out
Let this cup pass from me now
You're still all that I need
You're enough for me
You're enough for me
Though You slay me
Yet I will praise You
Though You take from me
I will bless Your name
Though You ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
Sing a song to the one who's all I need
