This is Rebecca. Rebecca is my Bella's friend. We literally met in line ordering pizza at Bella's probably 8 or 10 years ago. We talked like we'd known each other for forever, and I instantly loved her. She gushed with joy and Godliness and fun. I left that day with a smile just because I'd been around her. I saw Rebecca on occasion over the next few years- in the cereal aisle at Kroger, the parking lot at Lowe's, Bella's again (um, I used to be at Bella's too much). Every time I'd see Rebecca, we'd stop and talk... for a LONG time. To be perfectly honest, I couldn't remember her name. That's awful but true. I'd get home and tell Kevin I was sorry I'd taken so long, but I saw my Bella's Bestie! I finally decided one day that if I left every encounter with her this happy and blessed, I was going to hunt her down and make her be my official friend. I knew the school where she worked, so I stalked the website, found her whole name and stalked her FB. (Seeing that in writing now makes that seem a bit creepy. Lesson- don't ever try to hide from Kelly!) In October, 2020, I sent her a FB message asking if she'd like to go to lunch sometime. I was afraid we'd eventually get arrested for loitering if we kept meeting up like we had been. She said she'd love to do lunch, so we did.... just this week. I have no idea why it took nearly 2 years, but it was worth the wait.
Rebecca has WRITTEN A BOOK now, and I'd ordered my copy from Amazon so I could have the author sign it! We met at, you guessed it, Bella's, and we stayed so long, the owner threatened to put us on the payroll. I admittedly have been struggling with some complacency in my walk with the Lord in recent months. After hearing Rebecca's testimony about the last year of her life and this book coming to fruition, I left our lunch renewed and 100% knowing that God sent this book and this lady right when I needed it. The book is about Boy Mommas in the Bible and what we can learn from them- whether we're raising boys or girls. I learned about Rizpah last night- a momma whose story I should've remembered but didn't- a story that both broke and inspired this boy momma's heart. I'm so glad Rebecca followed God's prompting on this project. It is and will continue to be a blessing to many.
And so, 2 lessons here. 1) My husband is very wrong to make fun of me for talking to everyone from random folks in lines at the store to calls from wrong numbers. You never know when you're going to get a fabulous friend in the process. 2) God gives you what you need when you need it - just like I needed lunch with Rebecca more than I could've imagined and just like so many people are going to need this book.
Blessings.
