I didn’t expect to find tears running down my face. I didn’t expect to find such a clear glimpse of who God is and His love for me. To see how faithful God is to walk with us and never leave. That’s the thing about encouraging other people. Oftentimes, you’re the one so blessed and can’t help but smile through the tears.
Within a free pack of cards from (in)courage for National Day of Encouragement, I pulled this one out to find my fingers covered in gold sparkles. A card that I would not pick myself. Oh, but, the words softened my heart toward it:
“Thank you for sharing God’s love, not only with your words but also with your life. In today’s world, that’s not always easy to do–but you do it with kindness and consistency. That’s what makes you different, and it’s the reason you make a difference. Thanks for being who you are and doing what you do–you’re appreciated more than you know.”
Right away, I knew who God wanted to receive this card. Words came easily across the paper as if we were sitting chatting together instead of miles apart. Until I got caught on the word consistency…so I wrote:
“And you keep walking this road with me from afar even when you could have easily stopped when an ocean got in the way.”
Somewhere along the way I picked up this notion that even if people say they will walk with me through a storm…that they’ll end up leaving me alone. Close to a year ago, I entered a big storm and made some life changing decisions. One of my questions as I entered this storm was if a few people would walk with me…and here today, I find them still walking with me. The storm has changed, but the one who I’m giving this card to…well, she’s still here…walking through the rain with me and teaching me to jump in the puddles with a smile on my face even while the tears flow. All the while….encouraging. waiting. trusting. praying. with me.
b'ahava 