You're A Friend That Would Help Me Move A Body

That's not exactly what you would expect to see on the front of a greeting card, is it?

At Blissdom this year, we were so fortunate to have a speaker by the name of Brene Brown, who spoke so boldly, and honestly about friendship and being vulnerable - a topic that has been heavy on my heart for quite some time.

I'm trying to offer as much as I can (which isn't much at times) to my girlfriends, and I'm trying my hardest to invest in the ladies that make my life richer. It's hard sometimes. My days of hanging out at the last minute, and chatting on the phone several times a day have waved goodbye. (Almost) 6 kiddos consume most of my hours - it's crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Although I would like to shower without all the banging on the door. You know, at some point.

At Blissdom, Brene talked about how everyone needs those few friends that would help you "move a body". Even though it sounds strange at first...and illegal :), I knew immediately who those girls were in my life as her story and reasoning behind that statement unfolded. I felt like God used her to help clarify things that had been on my heart for quite some time, and I felt convicted that I often take those girls for granted while I try to figure out other friendships that are clearly off in a ditch somewhere.

Here is some of the story she told...

"A year or two ago, my good friend called and as soon as I said, “Hello!” she said, “You’re a friend who would move a body.”

I could tell by her voice that she was serious. I lowered my voice and asked, “What does that mean?”

She said that one of her sister’s close friends had called her sister and asked her to help her move her mom. Her mother, who was apparently only invited to visit once a year, struggled with alcoholism. When my sister’s friend came home from work, she was passed out drunk on the sofa. It was 3 o’clock in the afternoon and the kids would be busting through the front door any minute. She called because she physically needed help moving her mother.

I let out a deep sigh and said, “Yes. You could definitely call me.”

Then she said one of the kindest things that anyone has ever said to me.  She explained,

“I’d call you because you would come right away. Give me a hug. Never look judgmental or disapproving or disgusted.

And then you’d say, ‘let’s do this.’

The next day when you saw my mom at the park or the soccer game, you’d be kind and respectful. And most of all, it would never cross my mind to say something to you like, ‘please don’t tell anyone.’ You don’t do that.”

I thought about that conversation for days. I thought about how lucky I am to have a couple of “move-a-body” friends in my life. I thought about how crazy it is that most of us can steamroll over these friends while we work to win the approval and acceptance of people who really don’t matter in our lives – people whom we’d NEVER call when we were in real struggle."

I thought there was so much truth to what she had to say, it was such a great reminder to stay focused on the important relationships in my life, and to be that "move-a-body" friend to my close girlfriends that God has placed by my side.

So anyway, I thought it was worth sharing, she really hit home with a lot of ladies in Nashville.

Hope you all had a great week!