Titus 2 Tuesday

I found a fabulous blog today. Apparently this has been going on for awhile, but I'm just discovering it. A Titus 2 Tuesday simply means that we're honoring the women of influence in our lives. You can read more about it here at the blog I found this morning. Read all the way down--there's a beautiful piece of Beth Moore writing in it, and she's one of my favorites. :0)

I'm stumped on this one though. Not because I don't have anyone to write about...but because there are so many. So I'm symbolically pulling a name out of a hat here :0)

A woman who has influenced me this week is my friend Jennifer.

Jen and I both sing on the praise team at church and have discovered over the past months that we have many other things in common. Strangely enough we've become closer because of facebook, even though we live in the same city and attend the same house of worship. Our paths cross more often now than they did when we first became friends, and I'm happy to have her in my life.

Jennifer influences and inspires me because she's real. She's hilarious, loving, and a God-seeker. She has a way of talking about her husband and three daughters that lets you know how much she adores them...and when you see them together there is no doubt that the feelings are mutual. She has loyal friendships with wonderful people and would do anything for them. She is part of a close-knit cooking club, Bible study, and small group Jen also obsesses over tv shows (Lost and Flight of the Conchords come to mind) and gets a little stressed when everyone in the house gets sick. She has a sarcastic and witty sense of humor. And there are times when she needs to sit back and enjoy a glass of wine.

Why does she influence me? Because in knowing her I've learned to not be afraid to be real. To show ALL sides of me to those who are in my life. If they love me, they'll love me through all my stuff, not because I wear a mask easily.

Why does she inspire me? Because I'm aware of some of her struggles and I know that she is overcoming. I have faith that I can do the same. Because she is a true worshipper--when I see her at church I know that she is truly standing at the throne. And because she truly treats those around her with respect and dignity.

I'm thankful to know her, and I'm thankful to call her my friend.

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou