A year ago, I could look around my home and my life and feel extremely blessed, yet still knew something was not right. I had just moved into my gorgeous new home that Jason built for us. Everyone in my family was healthy. My husband was being blessed daily by just getting out of God's way and allowing God to move at Antioch. I had friends that would be there in a heartbeat if needed them and I could go to church every Wednesday and Sunday and wear my mask and be the "perfect little pastor's wife"...okay, so you all that know me well, know I'm anything but that!
It was truly in the midst of all of my blessings of home, family and friends that God brought me to my knees and gently told me "your joy is not found in any of these things or people, its found here, with Me". It was in the Fall of last year that as the leaves fell from the trees outside, the masks begun to fall from my heart and my life.
It was not easy, healing hurts. Often, it hurts really bad, but its so worth it in the end. It was during this time that the Lord brought someone already dear to me, even closer. He placed that younger person beside me to love me, to encourage me, to challenge me, and to give me hope in Him through her every day life. As Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." She has been my iron, and has sharpened me by continually reminding me to get into the Word, put on my armor, and to know that God is faithful and will always be enough!
I am certainly not a "Paul", but God has blessed me with a "Timothy". In 2 Timothy Paul writes, "I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers." I am always reminded of "your sincere faith" and want "you to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus".
I have watched my "Timothy" encourage young and old alike around here and have been blessed to be splashed by her cup that is overflowing. She is leaving a legacy already in the hearts of those who know her or have just heard of her.
In my Bible notes it says "Paul consistently prayed for Timothy, his friend, his fellow traveler, his son in the faith, and a strong leader in the Christian church. Although the two men were seperated from each other, their prayers provided a source of mutual encouragement." Now, just as Paul and Timothy were seperated, so we shall be. The tears that Paul and Timothy shed at their parting revealed the depth of their relationship and I know we have many tears that will be shed over the next few weeks/months, but as I "will recall your tears, and long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy" (2 Timothy 1:4) I will be ever praying for her and her ministry where she is serving.
Sarah Elizabeth Hebert, words are not enough. Thank you. And now, young woman of God, "pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses...I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ....to Him be honor and might forever." (I Timothy 6:11-16)
I love you, my friend, my "Timothy"!
