There are moments and people that reach through the limits of time and space.  And when those two elements collide in a God orchestrated way it is pure beauty and awesomeness!  For me, this morning that happened through coffee, my faithful IPhone and a trusted friend miles away.

Through the course of our talk we cried, we laughed, we celebrated, we challenged each other and we prayed.  We don’t get to talk as often any more as we both would like to, but she is one of a handful of sister-friends there is never a “void” in our friendship just because miles separate us.

I talked yesterday to a group of mom’s on the topic of raising strong fully devoted followers of Christ and challenged them to draw a circle around themselves first, to grow closer, deeper and wider in their relationship with Christ and to their husbands (if they were married)… and then, and only then begin the work of being a Christ-centered spiritual influencer of their children.  Daily quiet time, prayer, studying and serving are all deep and wide steps to personal growth as a follower of Christ along with… accountability.

These sister-friends of mine, who are Warrior Princesses for the King of Kings in their own right, who swing large swords of redemption, love and fierce protection on my behalf, also gently brush my cheek and temples with the velvet brick of truth and love me in spite of my sins.  They are here to bandage my wounds and bath me with the balm of Gilead to the fullness in Christ.

The marks of a true friend of accountability status and level are people who ~

• Live their lives to the glory and will of God first
• Are a safe place
• Allow and encourage a mutual relationship of respect, accountability and faith
• Extend unconditional love
• Carry a velvet brick and knows how to use it
• Always points me back to Christ and my responsibility

I could not live life without this small handful of women.  We all need accountability, men and women alike need someone or a group of someones that we’ve given permission to get in our junk, to ask the hard questions, to love, laugh and drink coffee with!

Today I was spilled out in a good way as I talked to my friend.  And in the process of being emptied, God filled me back up with his love, gentleness, truth and compassion through my friend.

Get a friend like that and be courageous enough to do some spillin’ and fillin’!