Serving Out, Blessing In

When I moved to Charlotte I knew no one....literally...no one. I immediately immersed myself in church and work in order to fight being homesick and lonely, which I was. I met a woman who had just had her first child and she approached me about watching their 6 month of old so that they could go on date night---every Friday. At first I was hesitant, with all of my Friday nights consumed I thought making friends would be impossible. I had set financial goals for myself and knew it was an opportunity that God had given me.....so I agreed. Little did I know it would be one of the greatest decisions I made my first year here.

I built a relationship with Christy (mom) and it grew into a friendship over time. They then had their 2nd baby and I spent every night at their house helping her while she was on bed rest for about 8 weeks.

Now, almost three years later I'm getting married and my Friday nights are coming to an end. I can't believe how incredibly hard it has been to disconnect from this family. They have taken such good care of me....always paying me more than I earned, bringing me home dessert when they were out...etc.

As I was leaving their house tonight for the last time (at least until after the wedding) and Christy said, "I need to tell you something. You are the best person I've met since I moved to Charlotte. You have worked for us but really you've become my friend."

I walked away trying to hold myself together until I got in my car. All of the work I put in with their girls, really blessed me more than them. God seems to do that a lot.....the serving I do for others really ends up blessing me.

I pray they have seen God through me! Thank you Lord for this awesome family.....grip their hearts. Make yourself real to them.


(For my wedding shower Christy brought a "date night starter kit" chalked full of gift certificates to all of their favorite restaurants in Charlotte, wine, starbucks..and so much more. So thoughtful!!)