My Friend Sheryl

I have a friend with whom I've not had an opportunity to share my deepest feelings or sin struggles. She and I have never gone to lunch, or to a movie, or "hung out" -- just we girls -- with the exception of the very occasional ladies' dinner with nursing babies in tow.

This friend might even be surprised to find me being so presumptuous as to consider her "friend" enough to warrant a whole post.

Actually...no she wouldn't. Or at least, she wouldn't say so; that wouldn't fit in with her affable personality.

I met Sheryl at church a couple of years ago. The larger irony is that we actually met her husband when we first drove into town nearly 9 years ago. As it turns out, he was the manager at the hotel where we lived with then-2-year-old Fifi and two cats for a couple of months while we searched for a home to purchase.

Shortly after I was introduced to Sheryl, she was blessed to become pregnant with her 4th child. Sometime well into her 2nd trimester -- maybe her 3rd -- she made her mighty impression on me after Dumpling had spontaneously "lost" her dinner during a Thanksgiving Eve service. The evidence of it started where we sat and trailed us across the gynasium floor into the nearby women's restroom, where I had rushed Dumpling as quickly as I could. She was 4 years old, I think, and didn't give us any warning. Children -- or maybe more specifically, their stomaches -- turn on a dime like that sometimes.

I can't remember all the details very well. Did Fifi come in and cradle Dumpling until the service was over? Did I leave her there for a few minutes on the bench alone? I don't know, but I do remember Sheryl coming in and out of the restroom. How many trips did she make before I recognized that she was moving in and out with clean, new, damp paper towels? I left to join her and found her kneeling down in sight of the whole congregation, cleaning up my daughter's vomit!

I was incredulous and quietly begged her to stop, because, afterall she was pregnant and I didn't know why Dumpling had suddenly become sick. But she wasn't worried. I guess she trusted her service would be honored and she would be protected by God Himself -- and she was right.

Sheryl is a great lady. Her countenance is genuine and full of kindness, trust in God, care for others, discretion and trustworthiness. I know she's intelligent because her diligence as a homeschool mother shows clearly in the abilities and confidence of her children. And though she surely is able to perceive the ills around her, I've never heard her speak a questionable word about anyone -- ever. Ever! I've never heard her complain or vent or gossip; I can't imagine it. I long to be that pure of heart and conduct.

Sheryl is as humble as they come. She is a woman of quiet spirit. She is as close to a successful Proverbs 31 woman as I have ever met. She radiates the love of Christ. She raises her children in the Truth.

And she is such strong iron, that I am truly sharpened simply by...reflecting and writing this post about her.