I think as girls and women there is a part of us that wants to please the authority over us or seek their approval in many ways. During my childhood years, I believe I fit the description of “people-pleaser” pretty well. As a girl, I desired to please the authority of man; you see, I did not have a relationship with the Lord.
I surrounded myself with girlfriends that were well liked by others, especially my parents. We were all nice girls by the world’s standards until we became teenagers. At that age, most of my friendships with girls dissolved as we each pursued dating relationships with boys who were not pleasing to authority and sought the approval of no one. I walked the fine line between conformity and rebellion, being drawn strongly by the rebels. This dating behavior lasted through high school and part of college.
In January 1999, God drew me to Himself after the birth of my son and the dissolution of my relationship with his dad. God met me where I was in my state of emotional numbness and my season of single parenthood. He brought me the gift of Himself through the vessel of a long lost girlfriend, who ministered to me and invited me to church. In His house, I accepted Jesus as my Savior in mind, heart and soul and began my personal relationship with God, turning my focus towards pleasing Him.
It is quite staggering to realize the extent of details God orchestrated, removing all obstacles and temptations that would hinder our growing relationship. God drew me to a Spirit filled church that had only one single male member in my age group, who actually left the church looking for other singles. Then, He did something more amazing…He sent me girlfriends one after another who wanted to invest in helping me mature spiritually. Now I mean the kind of girlfriends who mentor you, coach you, correct you, pray over you, serve you, believe in you. Through these faithful vessels, I experienced both philia (brotherly) love and agape (self-sacrificing) love. God changed my life through these girlfriends, reminding me that humble servant hood is what bonds us and glorifies Him.
If it weren’t for God sending Himself to me through my girlfriends, I may not have seen the evidence of His character so clearly in my early walk.
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