So... I got this card from a dear friend of mine. The words inside are as beautiful as the front
of the card. It caused me pause and some
reflection on my journey.
A few years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer—just writing
that brings me some joy….”a few years ago……” It's been a long journey, but PRAISE GOD that I am now walking 18 months of cancer free!! But, I digress. During that time,
I used my blog to share my journey and, most specifically, how my God showed up
and met with me in the middle of the storm; the truths I had heard of, but had
now come to know in a very clear and personal way.
I haven’t used my blog recently in the same way, but thought
today I would give it ago. I participated
in a conversation with some other survivors recently who were encouraging
another crafter. She had a newly diagnosed friend who she wanted to reach out
to. Overwhelming the feedback in that
conversation was “do something.” Today,
I want to encourage you to do something too.
I understand the well meaning and compassionate offer of “if
you need anything, let me know.” I’ve
said this many times myself. It’s used
as a way of saying I care about your struggle, I’m not sure how to help, but I
want to. The problem is, in a storm—you just
have no idea what you need.
And, then, I got this little card. And it reminded me of much. During chemotherapy, people fed my family, sent
cards with beautiful prayers written inside, took my kids to do the things I couldn’t
do with them—like shop for a special outfit for a school activity. Sometimes I asked and honestly, my people
never disappointed. I already knew that
about them and love them for it that much more.
However, the things that really made me break down and reminded me I was
loved, and CONVINCED ME OF JESUS IN MY LIFE, were the things I didn’t ask
for. The requests I didn’t even know to
make—the books encouraging my fight, prayer journals, gift cards for meals, handmade
gifts….it’s a long list. The things,
however, are not my point.
My point is: do
something. People are hurting all over
this crazy world of ours for so many reasons, both obvious and then, not so
much. We talk and talk about how we need
more kindness. My friends, that starts
with you. Today. And, again tomorrow. Let’s all do something. Let’s be the hands and feet to others—the ones
we know but, more importantly, the ones we don’t know. Let’s take LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR off the shelf
of cute t-shirt designs and catchy phrases and actually LOVE OUR
NEIGHBORS. I dare you.
It’s starts with this.
A cute card, a word of encouragement.
An intentional seeking of opportunity to connect with the people that
you meet when your walking down the street (pretty sure that’s a song because
it’s now on a loop in my head!) Those
sad eyes peeking out from above that face mask?
She’s there. He hurts. They are afraid.
Be kind and do.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving
yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of
the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural
face in a mirror. For he looks at
himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law,
the law of liberty and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who
acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”
James 1: 22-25
The perfect law….the law of liberty is Jesus. He did.
He does. He will.
If you'd like more information about my beautiful friend and card, you can read
her blog post also 😍
Have a blessed holiday weekend! Do something ❤
BKAD--Jane
