"You are my inspiration"

Those words were said to me yesterday at church.
There is a friend of mine that attended church with me around 10 years ago. We both have daughters the same age, we lived similar lives. Over the years, we went separate ways. About 6 months ago, she started attending Way of Life in Tyrone with me again. That first week, she came in after service started and we didn't get a chance to talk until after the service. Her first response is "Who are you?" in a state of shock. What she was saying is that the person I am today is so very different than who I was 10 years ago. Not just physically, but also in my demeanor. I absolutely was not the one to get on the stage making announcements, talking about our community involvement and cracking jokes.
I spoke at a conference a few weeks ago about whose words are you going to believe--what people say about you, or what God says. My friend was not able to attend, but listened to the CD last weekend. I was real and raw with what I have gone through and how God has brought me through. So, when the friend came into church yesterday, her response was "You are my inspiration" It was humbling to once again be reminded that my life is not just about me. I am a vessel that God pours through. My friend was ministered to just because I was willing to open some old scars and give God the glory for where I am today.