“Girlfriend” Guest Blogger Tammy Hodge

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Tammy Hodge

 

     “Tam”        

 

 

 

My name is Tam. And I love Oreo’s!

 

Oh. And I’ve been with my ex-fiance for 17 years. We have two unbelievably cute kiddos, Kassidi 14 and Dakota 11 (almost 12. He’d want you to know that).

 

I love the beach. I grew up mostly in Southern California, so all things beach, sand and sun are in me! There are days I miss it so terribly I will actually cry. Yes. I am that pathetic!

 

We’ve lived in Southern Oregon since 1993 and all serve in our church. My husband, Brent, is the Worship and Media Pastor and I get the privilege of serving alongside him on the Worship team as a vocalist. Both my children serve on the kids music team.

 

I write. I write a lot. Mostly on blogs (we really need to get paid for blogging) but I also write music and am currently (perpetually) writing a book about the day I told my daughter of the abortions I had as a teenager. Even in its incomplete state, it has become a huge ministry…for which I am so humble and grateful for!

 

Today…I am on the edge of my seat knowing to my very core God is moving and shaking our family. He has called us to more. And we have said, “We are ready”. Uh-Oh! Yah, we know better…but, we have learned, it is better to shake in our boots in His will – than to fear in regret for being out of His will…

 

 

Girlfriend Confession

 

 

I have a confession. I am not have not always been a big fan of women.

 

Why? Because I know them too well, I am one.

 

They say, “The things that irritate you about others, can usually be found in yourself”. Hmmm…so, I am competitive, insecure, but I like attention. And those characteristics in women used to drive me crazy! Ha! How’s that for an introduction?

 

Hi, my name is Tam!

 

Someone once asked me…”Would you be friends with you?” Huh? What kind of question is that? Of course I would! Well. No, I probably wouldn’t have been.

 

It took me well into my 30’s to admit that the flaws I saw in others were, in fact, the same flaws glowing about me! And if I was to love others as myself – then I had a lot to learn about grace. Instead of looking at someone’s flaws and becoming agitated at them, I needed to dig deeper into that person to understand why they were who they were. But not before I stood face to face with the person I truly was. It’s been a long journey of conviction, humility and brokenness. And its been worth every bit of it.

 

Jump forward to Summer 2007 when I started my own blog. Suddenly these women started popping up. Initially, I was very uncomfortable with it. Excited for visitors and comments but reluctant to communicate. But they kept returning! Day after day. They all seemed so real. So quick to reach out. But would I get burned? Should I trust them? I decided to let my guard down. It wasn’t like I had to have a face to face, real life relationship with these people.

 

It wasn’t long before I realized, there’s something special happening here. I knew, in my spirit, connections were being made. There were no walls, false pretenses, misconceptions. Just words on a computer screen. But…they became more than just words – they became friendships.

 

 Then…“friends”. Then [insert gasp]…girlfriends!

 

What have I gone and done now?! I’ve become real and vulnerable, because cute little avatars have shown me how to.

 

Women have taught me how to connect with women,

even when I fought against it.

 

It has changed how I interact with women I come in physical contact on a daily basis. I find it easier to reach out to them more than before. Never in a

million years would I have seen this happening. But it has…and I am a better woman for it!

 

Oh my stars…I have girlfriends now!!!

 

 

Check out Tam’s blog  In Progress @ kassota.wordpress.com

 

 

It would take me a whole blog post to tell you how much Tam’s blog has really moved, inspired, laughed out loud at the computer screen, and cried kind of blog.

But to me Tam’s blog is more than just a site I visit.

 

See Tam became a real life girlfriend, that I have never met as of yet…

(I keep flashing my beach here in San Diego, but she hasn’t taken bait yet.)

 

 

As I write this, a huge knot is in my throat, and it’s very difficult to articulate the words, but let me try.

 

 

 It takes more than kindness to be a real authentic friend; the nature of friendship; requires a blend of  compassion and a love so deep that you hear with your heart.

 

When you’ve reached down and grabbed up my heart so ever gently and held it at times and comforted and soothed me to REMIND me of my great Daddy God; who loves me even in the midst of my storm and even in the midst of my stroke. 

 

You have never let it go.   You continued to challenge me to write more and be real and authentic about my life. Almost a year is coming around the bend, I am so different and I know it was partly because of you.

 

Simply….

 

Your Friendship Girlfriend is Priceless!!

Love ya Tam!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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