One Inspiring Woman

There have been several women in my lifetime that I can honestly say have truly inspired me to be who I am today. My mother and Grandmother for example. But I have also had friends along the way that have taught me a great many things about what it is to be a Godly Christian woman. Not a "religious" woman, but a woman that strives to reflect what Christ TRULY wants us to be and how He really wants us to live and to love others. Valerie is one of those women.

I remember the first time I met Val. I was headed on a trip to Detroit for a weekend of fun with some ladies from church. We had an absolute blast together. I can't remember many occasions when I've had more fun with a bunch of ladies. Val was there. I knew her only as "Jane's mum". I remember some of the crazy conversations we shared on the car rides to and from Detroit. We were almost peeing our pants talking about where we would get a tattoo if we ever got one, and other more intimate and personal discussions that most "moms" would turn red with embarassment over. Val took it all in stride and laughed right along with us. The thing that struck me most about her was her sweet loving personality. I mean, I didn't even know this woman, and she became my "mum away from home". I was pregnant at the time with Obi and that night as we all found places to sleep in our hotel rooms (we were packed in), Valerie insisted that Monica (also pregnant) and I sleep in the queen bed and she would sleep on the floor. Monica and I tried over and over to convince her to sleep in the bed and one of us would be just fine on the floor, but she just wouldn't have it. We were blown away. We chatted late into the night with Val about anything and everything. It was one of those nights where you didn't ever want to stop talking. It was very meaningful.

Since then Valerie has taught Izzy Sunday school and worked her way into all of our family's heart. Izzy adored her and Ian right away. Every Sunday now my kids all have to run up and give Val a hug. I know that God used Val and Ian to teach Izzy more about God and her need for a Saviour and she accepted Christ one Sunday night on the way home from Zurich. Val and Ian were thrilled.

Val also introduced me to the book Captivating and her passion for women reminds me of the one God has also planted deep within me. That really connects us as women. She absolutely reflects the love of God to others and her mission is to help women to believe in who God created them to be, to give up the masks and to be our true selves. She has this wonderful way of making you feel treasured, beautiful...like you are captivating.

Last spring some girlfriends and I were needing to take a retreat away from home to rest, relax and hang out. Val and Ian were so generous, letting us rent their cottage for next to nothing. Then they surprised us on the Saturday morning by insisting on taking us all out for breakfast. My girls were also blown away by her and Ian and their generosity and love.

Recently my dear friend Val found out she has cancer. She is now undergoing radiation treatments. You would think that this would make someone turn inwards and start looking after themselves above all...not in a selfish way necessarily, but just being overwhelmed by their own situation. Not Val. The night before she started her radiation treatments, she stayed up with me and a couple of friends until midnight sharing her passion for them to know the Christ that loves them and wants them to be a part of His family. She also shared that evening about how the hardest part of radiation was not the physical discomforts, but seeing the young moms and children at the clinic who were also undergoing treatments for cancer. Her eyes welled up with tears as she talked about how she believed God had her going to that hospital for a reason. To help those hurting people to know that God cares. She never once talked about being afraid for herself, never once asked any of us for anything.

We decided that we wanted to give something back to the woman who shows such unbelievable generosity so my girlfriends and I made up a simple care package to help cheer her up and gave it to her that night. You would have thought we'd given her a million dollars, she was so grateful. It felt good to be able to reflect a little of the spirit of Christ back to her in her time of need. It blessed us all in return.

So I dedicate this blog to my sweet friend Valerie. Thank you for being who you are. You are one of the most incredible women I know. You have touched my life on many occasions and I've seen others touched by you as well. I aspire to shine the love of Christ as brightly and clearly as you do in your everyday life.

I love you!

Melanie