The other day I met a girlfriend of mine for lunch. I was, per usual, running late.
She had texted me earlier that morning and asked if I had any lunch plans, to which I replied, “Only with you, baby.”
(I hate when I reply like that and then someone follows it up with, “Then can we meet? I need some advice and prayer in a big way.” UGH. Read the room, Melissa, read the room.)
We chatted back and forth and agreed to meet at a quaint and quiet spot where we wouldn’t have to compete with music or lunch crowds. It would be the perfect place to talk about Jesus and maybe even have a little prayer. She needed it. I needed it. I was excited!
And now this is the part where things get a little bit “hairy.” (That’s funny and you’ll get it later…you’re not laughing now…but you will.)
Some of you will be mad at me after reading this.
I am who I am. You knew that going in to this relationship.
I drive up to the restaurant about seven minutes because I couldn’t find my keys and Satan is a liar. Okay? It just wasn’t my morning. I run like the wind into the front door and am told that she is waiting in the back for me. I round the corner at lightning speed (or whatever “lightning” is considered for a woman like me) and dive head first into my seat across from her.
She looks at me.
I look at her.
And then without thinking I just say the words that fill up my mind and come spilling out of my mouth…
“LET’S TALK ABOUT JESUS AND YOUR EYEBROWS.”
I know. I know.
She called me because she had something weighing heavy on her heart, she needed a friend, she needed an ear, she even needed solid counsel at that moment…and what do I do? I shame her for not getting a wax.
It was not my finest moment.
But then this happened: She started to laugh. She actually BURST OUT laughing. Behind eyes that were thick and puffy and bloodshot, I saw a light. Her mouth curled up and her head fell back and she started laughing so loudly that I went from hating myself to appreciating my ADHD.
“Melissa Radke. Only you. How do you do that? How do you fly in here knowing what it is we have to talk about and get me to laughing within the first three seconds?”
I believe that’s called: A gift.
The next hour was spent as you might imagine. She cried, I cried, she had been hurt, I was furious for her. We ate and thought and wrestled this problem from every single angle. And then we split a dessert, held hands and prayed, and left it at the feet of Jesus. Because sometimes that’s all you can do.
As we were walking out to the car she said this to me:
“You need to put that on a shirt.”
“Put what on a shirt?”
“Let’s talk about Jesus and your eyebrows.”
“Oh my word. Could you imagine?”
“I’m serious. Put it on a shirt. I’d buy one! It’s perfect. I mean, think about it…we know we need Jesus - but sometimes it’s hard to concentrate on that when someone’s brows are bullying us.”
We laughed. We left. And I came home and created that shirt.
Listen, if you plan on spending even one minute of time this holiday season with a girlfriend then you need to know something; holidays might be full of parties and gifts and food and Mariah Carey. But they are also chock-full of sadness, depression, anxiety and loss. Sometimes people are the very saddest at the time of year that’s supposed to be the happiest. Life just works that way.
So, if you have any plans to sit down across from some girlfriends make sure you’re wearing this shirt. Start off with a laugh. It’s generally the one thing you can’t get on the menu - and the one thing you need the most.
Just hope they have a good sense of humor about it!
Love you,
Melissa
P.S. Grab your long sleeve, short sleeve, v-neck, crewneck or hoodie (I gotchu covered, girl) right here. And order one for your mom and them!