Someone did it to me today.
We just did it.
Please, just do it.
Do what?
That impulse, that thought, that thing you think would be neat to do for someone.
Follow that thought that says, "I need to write that person a letter. I need to send that person an email."
Yesterday I received a sweet letter from a friend who is a former teacher for my dear Maggie. She loved Maggie so very much. And Maggie loved her. Maggie loved her so much that she told me once or twice if I ever quit being her mom it would be okay if this teacher adopted her! That is how much she loved her. Anyway, she wrote me a letter and shared some stories with me and it made me smile. So, I in turn sent her a quick email and shared some pictures of Maggie I thought she probably had never seen. And that email made her day.
This morning I check one of my social media accounts and there is an email from my oldest stepson. It probably wasn't a big deal for him to send but it is still touching my heart, his kind words and hearing what his Christmas plans are. It was just lovely.
So often, we think about doing this or that for someone and we never get around to it. We tell ourselves, "Oh, I better not" or "That's stupid" or "Why bother?"
Those impulses to reach out are very likely from God.
I am thankful I followed another impulse of mine. I though about making a book for a family I love. So I started in on it. After I was done I was a bit embarrassed by it, its sheer bigness and silliness. I thought, "Why did I ever think this was a good idea?"
I gave it to them anyway with instructions to wait till they got home to read it. I wanted them to read it without other people around because I was embarrassed. I didn't want them put on the spot to gush over something that was silly.
But guess what -- they loved it! That night their kids read it at least three times!!
Life is about relationships -- with God and other people. If what you think about doing encourages the bonds of friendship and love with your family and friends, do it! Just do it!
Be ready to look like a fool for your family and friends. Who cares!
"Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ, and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Last night my husband and I attended a ballet program put on by the dancers of Hosanna Dance. It was lovely. The dancers danced to Christmas hymns, both jazzy and lyrical (and fun) versions, with Scripture narrated between the songs. Hearing the Christmas scriptures said aloud was so uplifting. And watching the dancers was wonderful!
But do you know what added some sweetness to the program?
When the dancers messed up and smiled!
Sometimes our best moments are the moments we mess up and laugh at ourselves -- those are the moments that very well might touch the ones we love.
Merry Christmas to you all.
Be a fool for Christ.
Be a fool for your family and friends. Love them with abandon!