I was given an incredible gift last  night- 2 1/2 hours with three young women I have known my entire life.  Two are daughters of my god-father, and one is the niece of my god-father.  It is only by chance that the four of us ended up in the same city in this period of life:  They are here for college and I am here as Chris pursues his Ph.D.   

When I am in their presence, I am always amazed at their togetherness, their drive, their joy for life, and their genuineness.  We spent our time laughing and talking about all the things women tend to end up talking about- goals, dreams, men, transitions, faith, and children. 

I came home last night (later than I have in awhile) full of life.  As they asked me questions about finding the right guy, marriage, motherhood, and careers, I remembered how it was not long ago that I sat in their shoes with the same questions.  I was amazed at how the very questions I posed just a few short years ago now have answers, names, and faces.  I saw in full force that God had answered so many of my prayers, and that God had gently nudged me along on my own, unique journey.

I know these three women have incredible things in store for them because they are gifted women, full of life, faith, and hope!  They make me thankful for the path I have been on, the path I am currently on, and the many new paths I will face in my future.  It will not be long before they will sit in my place with the answers, names and faces to the many questions they pose.  I look forward to learning from them and journeying with them as their paths curve out before them.  I look forward to sharing my life also with the women who have blazed the paths before me, who help answer my questions that I face as continue to grow in my roles as mother, wife, and independent woman. These women have much to teach me as I muddle through life. 

So goes the cycle of friendship–learning, growing, sharing, and loving life together! 

Think of the questions you posed and worries you had years back.  How many of them do you now have answers for? 
What does this say to you about God’s work in your life?

Becky Eldredge

Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.