Favorite Things Friday

I have a magnificent story to share with you!

It involves a friend, a table and pure acts of kindness.

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Let's talk about the friend in this story first - her name is Christy.

There are so many ways to describe this awesome friend of mine:

VIVACIOUS ~ SPARKLY ~ EXUBERANT ~ ANIMATED

These describe Christy's outward qualities - the way she

captivates you with her lively personality, charm and wit.

Beyond all of these, it is her inner beauty that is truly amazing.

Christy is one of the most loving people I have met and she is

full of compassion, goodness and above all loyalty.

Can you tell I love her? I do. I am so thankful that

she is a part of my life and a part of my family.

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I have known Christy for 16 years and I have had the privilege

of watching her mature into a glorious woman of God.

She has meant more to me than she can ever imagine

and it seems that trying to describe her with mere words

falls short somehow. It is difficult to express the impact

someone makes in your life - the impression they leave on your

heart that never fades.

KINDNESS

Strong's #5544 chestotes

goodness in action

sweetness of disposition

gentleness with others

affability

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Hosea 11:4

I led them with cords of human kindness,

with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck

and bent down to feed them.

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Jeremiah 31:3

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

"I have loved you with an everlasting love;

I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

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Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy

and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with

compassion, kindness, humility,

gentleness and patience.

The story begins with this exquisite table.

It belonged to Christy and she was advertising it to sell.

I fell in love with this table as soon as I laid eyes on it.

The picture only shows 8 chairs - but it actually has 10

and can comfortably sit 12 guests.

This table would go perfect for all the entertaining

we do, family gatherings, my ladies' group and my

darling Kitchenettes' Hospitality Club.

Christy was offering this table set at a phenomenal price,

but circumstances kept preventing me from being able to

purchase it. I had pretty much resigned myself of never

being the owner of this table.

*

One Saturday our church was having a yard sale

to raise money for the youth. Our pastors

(Christy's parents) donated their living room

furniture and when I discovered this treasure

was going in the sale I negotiated with the youth

pastor the night before so I could have it for my

very own! I was planning on using it in my

tea room and excited to have a part of my

beloved pastors in my home.

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I arrived to the yard sale the next morning bright

and early - paid for my furniture and made arrangements

for my husband to retrieve it later in the day. At that point,

a woman and her husband drove up and made a beeline

for the sofa set and inquired about it. Our youth pastor

shared with her that it was already sold and she was

absolutely crestfallen. "I really need that furniture"

she said. She was utterly disappointed and went about

the yard sale to see if she could find something else.

Unfortunately, this was the only living room set for

sale. This lady came back over to the furniture again

and I asked her if she really wanted it. She exclaimed

emphatically that she was in desperate need. I explained

to her that I was actually the one who purchased

it and if she really wanted it I would

let her buy it instead.

*

You would have thought that I gave this woman a

limitless gift card to a posh furniture store. She was so

overwhelmed and so appreciative. She said to me:

"Thank you so much, you will never know how much

this means and how much we need

this - you are really going to be blessed."

*

In the next 2 days after the yard sale I received

an email from Christy sharing that her and her husband,

James, wanted to just bless me with this table!!! What???

I was totally stunned! Wow!

What an incredibly generous gift -

what an enormous act of loving kindness.

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Keystone Marble Custom Made

The top is actually glass from the Gap store...

I am going to paint the hutch a cream color to match.
It think it will be perfect!




Every Tuesday night is cell group with all the ladies.
We always have a tea party and a feast.

The first time we ever used our new table was
on the July 4th holiday.
We have an annual family celebration at my home -
and this year I could accommodate so much better
with this fantastic table.
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I thought this was so wonderful because
James & Christy's wedding anniversary is
the 4th of July!!!!


The story continues...
One night during our cell group one of my friends was sharing
that a family she knows is in dire need of a dining room table.
This family lost everything and literally have no table to eat on.
I was able to share my testimony about the glorious table I
would soon be receiving and that I would like to donate my
present dining table to this family.
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God is so awesome!
He cares about every detail of our lives and He places
people together to weave together the most
intricate and wondrous tapestry!
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On a side note...my little baby daughter, Gabriella,
who turns 2 next month was delivered by the super Christy!

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