SMT Celebration

December 28, 2008.

I went to church that evening and sat down in my usual place. I sensed someone sit down on the pew behind me and turned to see my friend, Pam. We had a few minutes to talk before service started.

Just a week before, we had talked about memorizing scripture together in the new year. Not completely sure how we would do it, we just knew we would hold each other accountable. We always challenged each other in our individual walks with the Lord. We recommended books to each other or even called each other out when we felt the other one slipping (quite honestly, she was the one usually reeling me back in when I wasn't spending enough time in the Word. She just never let me get by with it). She just made me a better person.

Back to December 28th.

I had just read this the night before and knew in an instant what our new commitment to scripture would look like. I couldn't wait to tell her. So, when she sat down I started talking a mile a minute, telling her how excited I was we would have such a cool way to memorize scripture and with so many other women. It was perfect.

She laughed the whole time I was talking. And when I pulled out my brand new spiral I had just purchased at Walgreens, she reached down in her purse and pulled one out as well.

She had already read the post, too.

We used to get so tickled at each other when things like that would happen.

So, we started.

Very little impacted my spiritual walk more in 2009 than memorizing scripture. No, I didn't need LPM to do it and no I didn't need anyone else, but the accountability has made all the difference.

The first time Beth posted about a celebration in Houston for all those who have memorized their 24 verses, I knew I wanted to go. Pam did too. What could be better than a free worship service with Beth Moore and Travis Cottrell with hundreds of other women who have worked so hard to hide God's word in their hearts? It would be worth the trip.

In September, Pam called to ask if we were still going. Ofcourse! She was getting ready to take a long trip, but wanted me to know we would book our plane tickets when she got back. Okay, we're actually going to do this. We talked that day about leaving a day early and coming back a day late and spending some time together. I love to plan a trip and this one would be so great.

A few weeks after Pam was back home I asked her about booking our flights. She told me to wait a few weeks since she wasn't feeling well.

A few weeks after that the Lord chose to take her home to be with Him. The saddest day of my life. Eric sums up my feelings when I don't know how by saying, "Deidre, you've lost your Peter, James or John and it's going to take time to heal". He's right. She was exactly that.

The day before her passing, this was posted on the LPM Blog and the thought of going to that celebration was unbearable. I posted a quick comment about her passing on that post and I received over 200 emails that week. Unbelievable. The body of Christ is astounding and the prayers going up for me were humbling. And very much appreciated.

Eric has asked me repeatedly to attend that event. My emphatic 'no's' turned to 'maybe' and he started looking at airline prices. Just before Thanksgiving, the rates were so high, I had no problem telling him I was NOT going. Don't get me wrong, I was bummed, but felt God was saying 'no'. I was relieved as well not wanting to go alone.

Little did I know Eric never gave up on the idea.

I was completely dumbfounded today when he called to tell me he had booked me on a flight to Houston when he found a rate too good to pass up. I had no idea he was even looking. We hadn't talked about it in over a month.

So, I sit here amazed at the love Eric has shown me in giving me such a heartfelt gift. I admit I'm also terrified at the thought of going. I will be alone and missing my friend so much it hurts. I know this because I can hardly get through it at times now. I know God's grace will shower me in the moments I need Him most. I have no doubt I will need him that weekend in a new way.