Who Sharpens You?

by Fay Barlow
(United States)

Psalm 27:17 as iron sharpens iron, so a man (woman) sharpens the countenance of his (her) friend.

Perspective in life changes with age. I don’t seem to stress over things nearly as much as I used to. I take my time in answering questions and emails and I don’t worry so much about things around me. I am striving to be wise in all things, especially in my actions and words. I am not concerned so much about making a name for myself as in the past.

Being on a stage and talking to a lot of people has its’ advantages, but I have to admit that writing from the seclusion of my home seems so much more appealing. I still want people to buy my book because I believe it gives hope to the reader and Glory to God, but being noticed by it, isn’t as important to me as it used to be.

I like the idea of talking with people one on one. Maybe it’s age and maturity growing in me, hopefully. The truth is that I don’t subscribe or follow many blogs or speakers. I love to write but I admit that I don’t read a lot of writings. And I don’t know what to make of that. I love reading God’s word and I love writing about it. I wonder if all this makes me some sort of hypocrite?

You see, I’ve been to a lot of conferences over the years. But my lasting memories from those conferences had little to do with the speakers or the music. What I remember most is the conversations I had on the bus or the van with the women around me. It was that personal one on one conversation that has stuck in my mind.

The grown up giggles at 2am. The food that I watched many women eat, knowing that they were going to pay for it later. The bus ride that had us all scared for our lives, and the lives of others on the road. The one hour shopping trip to a mall that caused us to sprint in order to hit all the stores.

Some of us even gave up food in lieu of our favorite shops. And the bargain of the hour that was claimed as we all shared our victory stories back on the bus. (I believe I won that honor with my leather jacket priced at $49.00)

I also remember a few hotel room conversations and shared details of life that I’ve never repeated because I was trusted.

There were ladies who were determined to make the most of every moment away from home. And, oh my, the price we paid as the weekend’s adrenaline accompanied us home late on those Saturday nights, knowing that we had to be at church the next morning to teach the children or sing in the choir.

Yes, I had my notes from each speaker as she gave her all and taught the word of God with grace. I even bought a book or two from the endless tables that lined the outside of the arena.

But the conversations while standing in the long lines for the bathrooms, the frenzy of a child free weekend, the exhaustion in mind and body from the lack of sleep and never ending laughter and the shared life stories and friendships made or deepened are the memories that remain ever present in my mind.

Yes, the music was fabulous, and the speakers were enthusiastic. But getting on a bus full of chatting women, longing to grow closer to the Lord and sharpening one another through life’s experiences was more than worth the price of admission.