365 Notes

365 Notes

Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.

Her card was the prettiest piece of mail I’d received in as long as I could remember—the hand-decorated, colorful envelope immediately stood out against the neighboring junk mail and bills. As I pulled it out of the pile for a closer look, I smiled. I’d met Lisa at a conference and immediately liked the funny, spunky woman with a streak of dark purple in her hair. She told me as she collected my address that she was on a mission to send 365 notes to 365 people this year, and that day it was evidently my turn.

Opening the card, I was surprised to see it covered—top to bottom—in her neat cursive. Her words were lovely and encouraging, but it was the effort expended that held my attention. She clearly spent thought and time on me—a woman she had met only once—and I can’t explain what a blessing it was to receive her encouraging words and beautiful note, knowing that she was praying for me that week.

I know that 365 notes seems like a lot, but Lisa didn’t start with a note every day; she started far smaller. But she so enjoyed the creative outlet for both her words and art that she slowly expanded over a number of years until this year’s grand experiment. I can’t help but be inspired both by her process and her finding the intersection of personal artistic outlet and blessing toward others.

As I thought of her being blessed while blessing someone else, I was reminded that God is so, so good. We don’t have to copy Lisa (although I know she wouldn’t mind a bit): God will use our talents and hobbies to bring joy to those around us, if we let him. We’ll be his hands and feet, bringing desperately needed encouragement to others if we ask him to use us in our giftings.

— Julie

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Make a list of your hobbies and talents. Offer that list to God, asking how you might be a blessing and encouragement to others through the activities on that list.