Woman to Woman

By: Melanie Moore

Most days my mailbox is full of junk mail, bills, and ads that usually get thrown into the trash. I can't say that I ever really look forward to checking the mail because most of the time, the mail is life-draining rather than life-giving.

However, a wonderful surprise was waiting for me the other day.

I went to the mailbox, expecting the usual onslaught of junk mail, and when I peeked into the box, I saw actual handwriting with my name on a card! I tore the card open right away as I mentally tried to guess why someone would send me a card. 

It wasn't my birthday, anniversary, or any other special day. I couldn't think of any reason I should be receiving a card.

On the inside of this beautiful card was a sweet note from a friend who decided to write a sweet note of encouragement to me. It was completely unsolicited and unexpected, and to be honest it brought tears to my eyes!

I learned a valuable lesson from that simple card. Many times, we are so busy with our daily lives that we may be tempted to think that we can't make a difference in the world. It doesn't take something big and flashy, on a platform or a stage, to impact someone's life. All it takes is simple acts of kindness with the hope of sharing the hope of Christ.

What ways can you think of that we can encourage others? A smile as you pass a stranger, a note in the mail, or maybe a phone call to someone who could use a "pick me up" could all be simple ways to truly make a difference in someone else's life.

In our online world, it can be easy to forget the power of personal connections -- a card, phone call, visit, or a meal together. These are the simple ways we can show those we love how much we care.

I thought about how much of my day can tend to be fed with social media and the news. It reminded me of my mailbox -- normally filled with bad news and junk! How life-giving it can be to encourage someone through a word or a smile.

Today, I'm thinking of how much a simple word meant to brighten my day and challenging myself (and all of us!) to look for a way to encourage someone today. A simple act of encouragement could have a ripple effect that changes more lives than we know.