When I was 7 months pregnant with Anna, Nick and I moved from Florida to Alabama where he took a position as a worship pastor. Moving is hard. But when you add pregnancy plus hormones, new state, new job, leaving friends and support behind…this was a particularly hard move for me. We had one car that I couldn’t drive at the time, and so I spent the majority of my time stuck at home.
Then Anna was born. I felt scared, alone, and more than slightly claustrophobic. Postpartum depression reared its ugly head. (It’s a real thing, y’all!) I loved that baby with everything in me, but I had no idea what to do with her. And I was bored, depressed, tired, and lived in a box. A tiny, tiny box. I was alone.
Except I really wasn’t. God saw my need and he sent me a friend. Someone reached out to me and dragged me out of the house every Tuesday night for dinner, conversation, sometimes just watching tv. This was my favorite night of the week. I grew up so much during that time, and learned how to be a mom and a person at the same time.
We developed a bond and a friendship that lasts to this day, even though we don’t live near one another any more. I know I can call or text her at any time for a laugh, or a prayer. She became more than a friend, she became a sister. Her kids are my kids. I loved to watch them grow and develop into beautiful, godly women and amazing mothers.
I was thinking about her again last night, as I do on most Tuesday evenings, and realized that the years have passed and I am now the age she was when she first took me under her wing. It suddenly dawned on me that maybe it’s my turn to be the mentor to a younger mom. One that’s probably overwhelmed by the little poop/cry machine that just got dropped into her lap!
So I wanted to write this to say thank you, Melody. Thank you for being my friend and mentor. And thank you for what you are doing now, mentoring another generation of young women into being the women of God they are called to be. I’ve seen you move through seasons of life with grace and wisdom. I’m glad you are my friend.
Lawana Gray 