Back in February, one of Michala’s precious friends from high school, who is one year older than she is, was working near us during her spring break. Sam is studying to become a Physician’s Assistant and had the opportunity to shadow a PA. So what does this precious girl decide to do during her spring break? She decided to work.
She signed up to shadow a PA located not too far from us, for her spring break. Sam texted me and asked if we would be around the next week (this was in February) and would want to meet up for lunch? In a heartbeat, I replied yes and yes!
Sam is an absolute hoot. I love her to pieces. She and Michala would hang out at our house a lot during summer and Christmas breaks, and much to my eye rolling, they would watch The Bachelor or The Bachelorette; whatever was airing at the time, in our living room. Terry and I would give them their privacy to watch this since we didn’t watch it, but anytime I went into the kitchen, the drama would suck me in, and I had to ask questions. “Wait, I thought that girl went home?” Or, “Why is she crying?” and “They did WHAT in a windmill?”
Michala and Sam both are absolutely brilliant girls (obviously) but the Bachelor shows (I call it trash tv) is their escape from reality. They were sucked into the drama, but could laugh at it, at the same time and not really take it seriously.
My heart was always full when they were in our house watching TV, baking cookies or cupcakes and just hanging out. Sam has become an extended member of our family. I love her like she is one of my own. Anytime we are all in the same area, we try to meet up for a meal. Sam, Michala and I have a group text going one of the girls named, “3 coolest people in the world.”
Anyway, Terry had to meet with some contractors the day we were scheduled to take Sam to lunch, so Sam and I met. We got to sit outside on a pretty, breezy day and get caught up on life and Sam’s work during spring break. I told her how extremely proud of her I am for doing this on her spring break, and how wonderfully this will reflect on her resume. Her work ethic is like that of Michala’s, and it so encourages me to see young people like this, with the drive and determination. To work, to have internships and go to college, all at the same time. These kids are impressive. All of Michala’s friends are so driven and passionate, it makes me so proud of them. I get excited when I think about how God will use them.
Anyway, as we were leaving lunch, Sam asked me to walk to her car, she had something for us. It was a Christmas present and when I opened it, I cried. As you can see from the photo, Sam gave Terry and me a tray made with a fingerprint border, and it says, “Blessed.” But the card with it says, “Thank you for leaving a fingerprint in my life.”
“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.” - Titus 2:7 (NLT)
I have always loved being around Michala’s precious friends. My prayer for them has always been to feel our home is a safe place, and to know I am here for them, 24/7. Terry, too. I have failed them, many times, by making decisions turning out to be disasters. But by the grace of God, they give me grace, too.
It is so important … imperative, to pray for our children’s friends. For Michala’s entire life, I have prayed for the friends in her life to love God, and for her future husband to be raised putting Jesus first, and one day when the day comes, Michala second. When Michala was in middle school, I began praying for her future college roommates. I begged God to send precious friends into her life who would lift her up and pray for and with her in their journeys. This is why we pray. Because when the day comes, God shows up, bigtime.
We are leaving fingerprints in lives all around us. Let’s let them be fingerprints reflecting Jesus, not us.