“I'm glad that God knows what I need in a friend more than I do- He keeps giving me you.”
Making friends my freshman year of college was awkward for me. I had based my college decision on where my best friends had decided to go but since I procrastinated for so long on my decision, I landed myself in housing clear across campus from them. As a result, I ended up spending the majority of my first semester with a guy solely based on the fact that I met him at a Campus Ministry event AND I had a biology class with him. Lets be honest, freshman year having 2 things in common WAS grounds for instant friendship. One night he asked me to go have dinner with him and another girl he had met at campus ministries and I reluctantly agreed. Judging from the string of girls he had previously introduced me to, I didn't have high hopes for this one. So even though she turned out to be beautiful, vibrant and outgoing- my hot pink highlights and look of disdain ensured that our first dinner that year was also our last.
By sophomore year, I gained my footing. I still had the friends I'd come with and I had developed a small group of “college friends” that I was fairly comfortable with as well. I had planned to live in off campus housing with my best friend and two other girls but at the last minute, things changed and my best friend ended up moving in with her older sister. It just so happened that they lived next door to the beautiful, vibrant girl from freshman year but once again, I failed to seek out her friendship.
Junior year, God decided to push me a little harder. Throughout the previous 2 years I had fallen further and further away from Him and when I had finally gotten myself into more trouble and pain than I could handle, I asked God for help. I signed up to be placed in a Bible study through campus ministries and crossed my fingers that it would be what I needed. When I walked into the apartment and met the girl leading it, I wasn't sure what to think. Sure- she was beautiful and vibrant and outgoing but she was also the same girl that I had been so quick to write off freshman year. I hoped that maybe without my pink hair and skater shoes, she wouldn't remember who I was. Unfortunately she did but along with her other good qualities, she was also very forgiving.
Senior year our friendship continued. We met on occasion for coffee and sporadic adventures around Grand Rapids. We shared stories about our lives and encouraged each others faith. I was finally starting to see why Jesus had been so persistent with placing this woman in my path and I could see real potential in this relationship. Even then, however, I assumed it would be short lived. College was coming to a close and , as far as we knew, our futures held very different things for us…
Some of you may have guessed by now, but for those who haven't- the woman in the story is Carly Crookston. As I watch her sleep next to me, I can't help but smile. I never could have guessed what Jesus had in store for our friendship because it was far, far more than I could have asked or imagined. This woman who pointed me towards the most incredible and most growing experience of my life, this woman who leads me and loves me exactly the way I need, this woman who daily pursues the Lord and daily pursues me- THIS is the woman I could have missed out on. THIS is the woman I almost passed by. I never asked for Carly's friendship. I never sought it out the way I should have. Thankfully, God knows much more about what I need than I do. Thankfully God knows what is best for me and He makes sure I have it. Not only did the Lord send Carly and I on this adventure together, but He ensured that- at least for the first 3 months- we would be on the same team. He made sure that during the best, but also the most terrifying, experience of my life, I would have a sister to hold me up when I couldn't stand alone.
Carly, you value birthdays more than anyone I have ever met and it just so happens that yours is just around the corner. Normally, I would know just how to celebrate you but as we both know, the World Race is anything but normal. I can't give you a surprise party with friends, tiaras, chocolate and tequila, but what I can do is give you words. I can make SURE that you know how much you mean to me and how much I value your presence in my life. Carly Crookston, I love you. I love your personality, your sense of humor, your generosity, your leadership, your wisdom and your grace. Most of all and most importantly, I love that I didn't pick you out for myself. I love that GOD gave me you.
Happy Birthday, Birthday Princess.
