Surprised By Grace - Again

Several blogs ago, I wrote about how God had restored a friendship I thought was gone forever. At that time, he brought my dear, dear friend, Connie, back into my life. She surprised me at the hospital the day Cliff first had his surgery and it was wonderful how she so quickly fit right back into our whole family structure. She shared herself with me during that trying day, making me laugh, holding me while I cried and just being there for me, in spite of the hurt that had passed between us over the years. I am so thankful for the grace God showed me on that day.

But he was not through amazing me with his plan. I have another friend. A childhood friend named Laurie. I have known Laurie since I was a little girl. She and her then boyfriend, Mick, introduced me to my husband Cliff. Laurie and I did everything together as children and young women. We got married within five days of each other and had children together. The four of us were best of friends – since we all sort of grew up together we always had a connection. Even though we often lived on opposite sides of the country, and could be apart for years, when we reunited, it would be as if we’d never left.

Then Mick developed heart trouble. To make a long story short, he too had open heart surgery. Only Mick did not survive. He passed away days after the initial surgery. And friends, that is when things went from bad to appalling. You see, that was when I was in the midst of my alcoholism. The shock of his death was great, and I came to his memorial service drunk. After that, my shame prevented me from staying in contact with my oldest and dearest friend. I had promised to be there for her in her time of need; yet I never once called her in the years that followed. Eventually, I simply couldn’t face her.

As I have posted before, I went through chemical addiction treatment in January of this year. And this time, I’m doing things differently. That means I’ve been actually working the 12 Steps. And guess what? God, in his wisdom, managed it so I was on my 9^th step—the one where I begin making amends—in September. Laurie was one of the first few people on my amends list. I tracked her down shortly before Cliff’s surgery, and sent her a letter. A letter she received a day or two after his surgery. She called me immediately and came to see us in the hospital.

And guess what? God, in his desire for restoration and grace in our lives has beautifully brought us back together. When I told Cliff Laurie was on her way to see us; we both cried. Laurie and I spent a beautiful hour or two alone, talking, crying, and forgiving.  And now we are again part of each other’s lives.

My friends, life is too precious to waste in regrets. I have so many things I wish I had done better, so many things I’m ashamed of and that Satan would use to destroy me. But God does not want me to dwell there. He wants me to live today, in the moment. He wants me to look forward and to let him continue to soothe my soul and heal my life. Today, I am resting in his amazing, astonishing and beautiful grace. May you rest there as well.

Thanks for listening. Caro