LIVING BRAVE: A TRIBUTE TO A DEAR FRIEND

To a precious friend who knows how to be brave and love well.

Made by Design is about each of us being uniquely made as a gift to this world.  My friend Kara is one of those gifts.  I see her as a bright and sunny gerbera.  She is beautiful and makes people feel included and valued.  She is quick to help out and is incredibly loyal.  She inspires creativity and strength.  She is fun and brings a smile to your face.  The list could go on.

I once had to apologize for being slightly unfiltered in something I’d said to her about a situation.  What was her response?  “That’s okay, I filtered it for you.”  That one statement communicated to me, “I know you and I accept you”.  That is the gift Kara is to me; she gives me permission to be me and covers over the missteps with grace.  Kara loves well!

I last wrote about having freedom in being who you are, that takes bravery.  It’s not easy to open up to the world and let it see us as we really are. 

Like the open petals of the gerbera, Kara opens herself up full and wide as a gift to all those who are in her life.  She lets us in.  She inspires me to be braver in opening myself up, to be unapologetically who God made me to be.

Kara, you are a bright spark in my life.  I value you.  I love you.