I forgot to turn my cell phone on the past two days. This morning, I finally put a new battery in it at the urging of my daughter. Two mesages rang through.
The first brought a smile to my lips as I listened to an awkward rendition of "Happy Birthday" from her. The second caused me to trip in my steps to my next mission.
The caller was a writer friend who I'd met a few years ago at another writer's group in town. Bob had left word that a writer we both knew had recently lost her husband. She wanted me to come to the service next week.
I haven't seen this woman in months and then only briefly. But at our last time of sharing, I'd learned her husband of 50+ years was dying. She'd put on a brave front but I knew her day-to-day life wasn't easy as she struggled to care for him at home.
I mentioned earlier this week how writers bond--how we strive to put our words on paper--how we strive to share our thoughts in an approved manner. How we are all hoping to make our dreams a reality.
But I don't have words today to adequately convey how this woman's request makes me feel. I'm moved that a writer, through a sprinkling of moments across a table in the backroom of a library, feels comfortable enough to reach out to her fellow writers in a time of deep need. I'm saddened because I didn't do more than offer a quick condolence when I first learned about her struggle.
We say so much through our written words but we say even more through our actions. Is there a writer in your circle today who might need more than a quick edit or a lead? Please don't shrug the nudge off--it might be your best opportunity to make a difference.
22 comments:
Excellent reminder to just a friend, a neighbor, or someone in any social group. I have never had so many prayer requests for horrible situations, and/or deaths as I have had the past two months.
Thanks for the reminder Terri
We do build bonds, even through cyber space! It's easy to get busy and forget to stop and really encourage those who need it! Thanks for the reminder.
angels are among us...and sometimes it's us who need to be the angels to others...
Thank you for this post. I'm horrible at sharing emotions so I hope that if I see someone today in need of encouragement, I'll emerge from my comfy world to do show love.
Great wisdom, Terri. Thanks for the advice.
Well said...sometimes it's hard to know how much to invest in someone else. Sometime you get burned. But our commission is to love as Christ loves us. That's a commission to invest in others.
So true Terri. Every day we have chances to make a difference in someone's life but it we don't act on that chance we may never get another opportunity.
Great reminder, Terri, thank you.
I agree! Some of my best friends now are people I've been writing with for several years. We have bonded on a different level than some of my more casual friends.
Thanks so much for the post, Terri. Being able to step forward and support someone is sometimes harder than it seems it should be. But there's a world of character in the action and reaching out toward people in need is one of the most selfless things we can do. Thanks again!
You never know how this thread or that will be woven into the fabric of your life. Some of the beauty in my history has been threaded there by just such a friendship ...
How blessed are you both; she with the comforts you afford, and you with an outlet for your love.
Beautiful.
Kathleen
Hi Terri,
I'm so sorry for what your writer-friend is dealing with right now. May God's peace, comfort and strength walk with her.
Your message applies to any and all groups and situations. We can often overlook the opportunity or not even realize that someone is standing in need and also at times the Lord will place you on the heart of someone and it shock you. I've had that experience where I barely know someone and I'm the one they reach out to in a time of great pain or need. I'm always so humbled in my heart when that happens and I just ask the Lord to give me the words from HIM, or the hug or the resources or whatever it is the person needs so that I can love on them in Jesus Name.
Thanks for this message Terri. Miss chatting with you.
Hi Terri -
When my husband was diagnosed with leukemia, my local writing friends brought us meals, groceries, sent cards, emails, and more. After he died and when I was recovering from surgery, they were again right there to comfort and lend a hand.
I can't begin to tell you how their love and support strengthened and encouraged us.
Thanks for an excellent post.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Wow. Prayers go out to your writer friend and her family. We are all bonded together after all. Thank you for the reminder. Jenni
it's so encouraging when God makes you a point person...you made a point to share with her earlier and it definitely impacted her. Prayers for her in her loss and for you in your discovering a friend!
Amen to every word in your post! (And here you were worried that you weren't a strong enough Christian. Your actions/heart obviously matter more to people than quoting Scripture.) Hugs
I'm sad for your friend. May God be her comfort and strength.
Thank you for the reminder that our actions make an impact. And you have done His work, you've touched a heart.
Thank you,
Tiffany
I'll add something a little different. I love editing. I do. Just not my own stuff. But reading the works of others and finding ways to make them better is a joy. So, I have no professional background and a lot of time constraints. If anyone is interested in some editing help, let me know and I'll do it. Life is so short. I want to do a few of the things I really enjoy.
Be that "one", friend. There's power in the presence of our one to another. Thanks for the shout out. I'm pretty sure I heard it while out running!
peace~elaine
What a lovely post from a lovely woman....
In our busy lives when that nudge comes, to be someone's angel we set it aside or dismiss it completely. Sometimes too, we just forget.
It is a shame and source of guilt when we look back at those missed opportunities.
Terri I hope your sharing this opens our eyes to the bigger picture, the deeper meaning and the true significance of intuition, compassion and walking our talk.
Thanks, Terri for this nudge. I think as a writer it can be easy to seek safety behind our words. But, as you demonstrated, sometimes God really need us to step out from behind our keyboards and engage with one another face to face.
Blessings,
Kelli
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