5 Minute Friday – GIFT

I have been so busy lately, between preparing to move and visiting a dear friend in the hospital.  I hoped that when I saw the word today, it would resonate within me something to write about Bridgette.  Bridgette was the first employee I ever hired when I was running my mom’s State Farm office.  I was preparing to take it over when she retired.  Bridgette was always such a good friend to me.  She really was a GIFT.  She stood by me when I was going through some very tough personal times, she helped me with my oldest son, and most of all, she just listened.  She listened to all my drama, all my problems, it didn’t matter, Bridgette listened.  Two weeks ago, Bridgette made a choice to have gastric bypass surgery.  During the surgery her pancreas was accidentally cut.  She was already home 3 hours away before they realized what had happened.  By the time they got her back to Lubbock, the infection had spread throughout her body.  She went into renal failure and this morning she is having her 4th surgery.  I dont tell you this to scare you, to make you think twice about ever considering gastric bypass.  I tell you this because I have spent two weeks in the hospital with a beautiful woman who was healthy.  You see, in our world, and especially as a woman, we don’t feel that we are enough.  We feel alone.  We feel the pressures of society to look a certain way.  Bridgette is no different.  She had kept this a secret from most people.  Some days I wonder why she didn’t tell me.  Back 15 years ago I weighed nearly 220 pounds.  I have lost over 80 pounds.  But, it took so much sacrifice and has controlled many portions of my life and decisions.  I never felt good enough.  I wonder if she felt like I wouldn’t understand.  I don’t know what I would have told her, but I would have been there for her.  Most of all, the day she went into surgery 5 minutes from where we are living now, I would have gone and prayed with her.  She is a gift.  A gift from GOD.  She was searching to be Loved by everyone and in a different way.  She thought this would change her.  Gastric Bypass has become a cosmetic surgery.  To her it was a GIFT that the insurance company somehow decided to cover for a HEALTHY 29 year old.  Our world focuses on obesity so much, and doesn’t focus on GOD, who not only can help us to eat better but also has a plan for us.I guarantee he doesn’t sit there and say, is this one big and is this one small.  So as I sit here today…And my dear friend Bridgette is in surgery….I ask you to say a prayer for her.  A prayer that God does what is best for Bridgette and Bridgette alone.  I pray that we can all hear and read this and somehow be touched by the GIFT OF GOD…eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Bridgette is a GIFT.  She is wonderfully made.  She is a survivor, a mother and a wife.  We are all Gifts from God.  We have the Gift of Life, the Gift of Love and most of all, we have the Gift of Eternal Life.  Be blessed today….Be someone else’s GIFT!

Blessings,

Brandy