Women in My Circle

I received this in an e-mail and couldn't help but post it here. I certainly have found this to be true in my own life. Thank you, Lord, for the precious gift of friendship.

Women in My Circle

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
I found out that if you allow your heart to open up God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities...
Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'
One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your jacket fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself

Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, but for many, it's wrapped up in several.
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,
And on some days, your daughters.
~Author Unknown (despite a vigorous Internet search) If you happen to have the name let me know. I would love to attribute it to someone!

So far, my K is quite the little sanguine floating freely without a 'best friend.' I hope as she grows I can help her embrace this truth: finding the best in many different friends.

What a beautiful reminder of the different parts we play in the body of Christ!