I remember one time, many years ago, when my mother told me
that, “God never said that life would be easy, honey, but He did say that He
would always be with you.” Those words have sustained me through some pretty
tough times over the years, and they taught me to look for those ways in which
God lets me know that He is with me.
Sometimes His presence is easy to recognize, especially to
those of us that are moved by nature. A glorious sunrise or sunset, the rise of
steam off a lake on a summer morning, the full moon, a sky full of star on a
clear night, or a breath-taking sight…..are all reminders to me that God is
present in His creation.
Most often, He uses people to make His presence known;
oftentimes, complete strangers. I have shared before about those people….the
hairdresser, my dentist, and my rheumatologist….. who, unbeknownst to them,
planted the seeds that led to my decision to change my life. If I ever get that book started, they will be
mentioned in great detail.
Yesterday, I was given an incredibly wonderful gift from
someone I barely know, a former school friend of my mother named Nancy. Nancy and my mom were classmates and friends
for many years but they lost touch with each other shortly after my mom married
my dad in 1962. Most of you know that both of my parents have died, my father
when I was 8 and my mother when I was in my 20’s. Earlier this week, I received a “friend
request” from Nancy, and because I recognized the name from my childhood (mom
had told me about some of her close friends), I accepted her request. Nancy told
me that she had some things she would like to send to me and asked for my
address. Last night, I received a
package in the mail…a gift that I will treasure forever.
I opened then envelope and inside was a stack of pictures of
my mom from her teen years, along with several letters that mom had written
Nancy in the early 1950’s. There was also a picture of my dad. Other than the
senior class pictures of my parents, I had never seen any of the others she had
sent. I sat in the lazy boy and looked
at these photos as the tears rolled down my cheeks, and read those letters, written
in the same handwriting that had signed my birthday cards and wrote notes to my
teachers over the years, and just smiled and said, “Thank You, God” for the
reminder that I am never alone….not on this journey….nor on any other. The love
of my parents, although their physical bodies are long gone, will never leave
me for that very love gave me life. As I
read those letters, written when my mom was a young, single working woman, and
looked at those pictures of special times spent with friends, I got a glimpse
into a side of the woman that gave me life….a side that I never really knew.
The mom I knew was a mother and wife….not a single woman buying new shoes, purchasing
a new car, taking trips, going to work,
and dealing with boys. By the way, "What's up with boys"; I never had to deal with them before this journey! :-)
Although mom was
a just a young adult, and I’m a 50 year old single woman with a job, a love of
shoes and clothes, and issues with boys, etc.., it was one of those “ah-ha”
moments to realize that at one time, she was just like me. She died too early
in life and we never got to talk about those things, and suddenly I really
missed her, but yet, I’ve never felt closer to her in my life than I did…and do…at
this very moment. I wonder what she
would think of me now! Those photos and
letters, likely just items taking up space in Nancy’s attic, are a gift that
will be treasured by me for years, not only because of their “physical” attributes,
but because the very act of kindness on the part of this stranger of tracking me
down and going to the trouble of sending them to me, was God’s way of
strengthening and encouraging me on this journey.
Those pictures caused me to think a lot about my mom, and in
doing so, I was reminded of her strength, her faith, her determination, and
character. I began to think about other things she told me, but mostly, I was
reminded of her incredible kindness, in the midst of her own heartache of losing
a spouse at 34, and being left alone with 3 children under 8 years old. I was
reminded of her faith…the faith that trusted that God will give her what she
needed to cope with her heart condition and the struggles of day-to-day life…the
faith that gave her strength to keep fighting….to keep trying…to keep on being
happy….to be better. The same faith and character she passed on to me…..the
same determination that has and will help me succeed….the same desire to help
others…..the same love that gave me life.
Just remembering “that” was just the boost of energy that my weary
spirit needed to keep going, to keep trying, to keep working. All of this, because a stranger reached out
to me, instead of tossing those pictures into the trash. What a gift…..what a blessing….what a
treasure! Will Nancy ever know what her kindness meant? Probably not!
When I spoke to the Rotary Club a few weeks ago, I reminded
my audience of the importance of always treating others with kindness and
compassion because we never really know how our actions will affect another
person, how what we say may give someone hope or encouragement, how God may use
us to speak to another, or how what we do…..even something as simple as holding
a door, offering to help, making a phone call, listening to a story…..or as ordinary
as mailing a photo or newspaper clipping to someone…..may change his/her life. You, my friends, are given opportunities each
and every day to make a difference in someone’s life….and by doing so….you will
be changing your own.
I guess what I’m really trying to say is that “deep within
you” lies everything you need to succeed at changing your life. Sometimes, though, the busyness of life gets in
the way, and we need a reminder or an opportunity to dig deep and get in touch
with that spirit and will. Who was the
person that first believed in you…..believed that you could do whatever you put
your mind to….that you were special? Was
it a parent, a grandparent, a teacher or neighbor???? Who believes in you now? A spouse, a best friend….a stranger named
THERESA???? Do you have a symbol of
some sort of that strength…..perhaps a necklace, or memento….maybe a religious
item like a cross or rosary….maybe a bookmark or photo….any sort of thing. I have many….some worn pinned to my bra right
over my heart, and I surround myself with them on a daily basis, and when I find
myself weak or weary, I pick them up, hold them, and just reflect on those
people…most of them dead; many still alive….that believe in me and found value
in me BEFORE and find value in me NOW.
Maybe…just maybe….it’s a good time for you to get those old
photos out….to reconnect to your past….and find yourself a visual reminder that
YOU CAN…and YOU WILL Change your life!
You have what it takes….even if it’s buried in the clutter of doubt,
fear, anxiety, or pain. DIG DEEP….and never underestimate your ability to not
only change your own life…but to change the lives of others by every act of
kindness that you take the time to do. Remember, what may seem insignificant or
“no big deal” to you, may be a blessing to someone else….a way in which God
shows someone else that HE IS PRESENT!
Thank you, Nancy, for an act of kindness that has given me a
renewed strength to inspire others for the Glory of God!
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