Unexplainable. Unconditional. Undeniable.

I've always heard the phrase, "God works in mysterious ways" but to be honest, I never really put any thought into it beyond that. That is until recently. 

Has someone ever entered your life at the exact moment you needed them, but you had no idea you needed them? Did you think it was by happenstance or do you think the Good Lord intervened? Did you ever think it was because that person needed you too? Ahh—the questions are endless and most are left unanswered. Why? Well, because sometimes an answer isn't always needed. Sometimes it's an unanswered prayer. 

I'm here to tell you that when God creates the connection and puts this person in your life, it is not coincidence. It is deliberate and intentional. I didn't really know how to accept it or if I even should. But it didn't seem like that decision was up to me, or us for that matter. I was timid. I was afraid. I was afraid it would fail. I was afraid it was too good to be true. This person could not be my person. There was just no way. I fought it. 

But the friendship and bond were immediate, almost like we had known each other forever. Honestly, it was emotional and heavy right from the get go. We both had a lot going on that neither of us really knew about at the time. The important piece—God knew! We soon learned we were like two peas in a pod. Similar life experiences, both past and present. It was so strange. Like how can God know that we were meant to do life together? And why right now? He just knows who we need and when we need them! Why exactly did he bring us together? Again—so many questions. But maybe answers not needed. 

I'm amazed at how quickly a friendship can be filled with so much love, care and deep emotions. It was so genuine and honest and real, almost to the point it seemed like too much. Not that I'm discounting other friendships but there just isn't a good explanation for what was happening. And believe me, I tried to deny it. I pretended like there was no way I could actually feel this way. I tried to hold back expressing my feelings, but kept getting this subconscious push to share myself with this other person, to tell her exactly how I felt. I'm not an open person by any stretch of the imagination and certainly don't give out much to someone I barely know. But this was different. Something was telling me to trust this person, trust this situation, trust this friendship! Ahh—the struggle. But I did and we grew closer and our friendship has become an undeniable bond. 

Have you ever experienced an unconditional friendship, like truly unconditional? One in which there is no judgment, regardless of what comes spewing out of your mouth, even if it's hurtful. One in which the other person is simply listening with the sole intent of just that—listening. One in which your bad and ugly surface more than anything else, yet this person is still there, standing strong, saying, "I got you. I'm not going anywhere!" Guys, this is real life. I have got to be one of the most difficult humans to deal with. I know this because I live in my own skin. And don't get me wrong, my husband is amazing and our marriage and love is absolutely unconditional. But to think you can find that in another person, someone who wants to be with you through all of your darkest times, is incredible. No one signs up for that shit on purpose. We are assigned these jobs. We are assigned to be these people for others. God knows who we need and why we need them and he strategically places us in those lives! 

So God placed this amazing human in my life. Someone I definitely don't deserve, but someone who has been with me every step of the way since we started. We’ve literally been through more dark times together in a few months than I have been with anyone else. But neither of us walked away. Neither of us batted an eye. Neither of us questioned any of it. We’re just there for it all. No matter what. We keep our faith strong and constantly remind each other of that. We love each other on the hard days, the long days, the quiet days, the happy days, the worst of days. Suffering through the gauntlet has only brought us closer together. With each passing day, our friendship grows to a new level, one that the Lord has been the center of and continues to strengthen for us. I think that's the most important piece, and one that cannot be mistaken for anything else. I never expected to be this close to someone, much less someone I've only known for a short time. But I do believe God intended for it to be this way and there is so much more in store for us, both as individuals and together as friends. 

At the end of the day, we can come up with whatever we want. We can try to make sense of things. We can assume anything. We can deny anything. It doesn't matter. What I'm learning is that if it is meant to be, it will be. Nothing will change it! NOTHING! The truth is the truth. I didn't choose my friend. God chose my friend for me. And I wouldn't have it any other way. There's so much more I can share but I plan on holding onto it and sharing it with the very person who needs to hear it. 

The point of all this is simply to put your trust in God. Don't question what he's doing in your life. It might not make sense to you, but it's meant to be just as it is. God doesn't make mistakes. Sometimes he intentionally gives us battles, pain and heartache so that we may become stronger in our faith and learn to trust His process. That may mean opening ourselves up to the people He puts in our lives, even if we don't think so or want to. These amazing people are given to us so they can be on our journey with us. It's on purpose, folks! You just have to trust. 

ALH—God placed you in my life at exactly the right time. I never knew I needed you. I never imagined you would mean so much to me. I never pictured a friendship quite like this. I never thought this would be my journey, your journey, our journey. Yet here we are. I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you! Thank you, for saving my life. Hallelujah, even here! 

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." —John 15:13