everyone needs a lynn
Do you have someone who knows just when to send a text or note? It comes at just the right time and for the perfect reason. You may not talk to this person on a daily, weekly, or even monthly basis but they know when to send an encouraging text or card. My daughter reminded me the other day that when I write my book, I am going to include a chapter entitled…Everyone Needs A Lynn. That got me to thinking about how important texts and cards can be.
During Mark’s sickness and recovery, I would receive random texts from a friend. We will call her Lynn R! She is dear friends with my mama, so I know she kept up with Mark’s recovery through her. I also know God would place my name on her heart and she would send out a text to me. These texts came at random times BUT were always times I needed to just hear something encouraging and thoughtful. I would read these and smile and other times I would just cry. Cry because they meant more than I could express at the time. I so needed to hear an encouraging word right in that moment. I wouldn’t hear from her weekly or even monthly but always right on time.
Here is an example of one of her texts:
Hello, My Precious Friend Gretchen; You are on my heart and wanted you to know I Love you and am thinking about you. You are one FIERCE LADY. I LOVE YOU Gretchen❤️❤️❤️ Take care of yourself and know you are being prayed for this VERY minute. All our LOVE Lynn
See what I mean? Who wouldn’t want a text like that? I believe everyone needs to have a friend like that. I know it may seem like a simple thing, but it is anything but simple. For me it was major and always made my day! It is so important to make sure we are reaching out to those we know who may be going through a difficult journey. It doesn’t even have to be a difficult journey. It can be someone who needs to know they are doing a great job raising their kids. Yes, even daddies need this. Someone who is trying to get a new job. Someone who is leading a bible study or small group needs to know they are doing something amazing. Your pastor and his wife and staff need encouragement. School teachers and preschool workers need to know they matter. Someone who is a caretaker for a parent or spouse. Someone who is starting an exercise program or trying to eat right…ok that is me right now! (I need my emoji’s to insert a happy, winky face here).
Last week, I met with a ministry called Mission:Dignity to talk about my ministry for widows, Ashes Into Beauty. I wanted to see where I could help. It was a great meeting, and I am going to be doing more for the group as time goes by. For now, I got a list of 19 widows in the DFW area that are associated with this ministry. I believe it is called their prayer card support. You send out cards of encouragement, so they know they are not alone. It honors retirement-aged Southern Baptist ministers, workers and widows struggling with basic needs through advocacy and financial assistance. It is associated with GuideStone Financial Resources. Mark had them for his retirement so I know all about them but I had never heard of Mission:Dignity. I am going to be sending out letters, cards and texting or calling these 19 ladies monthly. I have my mind going with things I want to do for these precious ladies, and I know it is something my ministry will be a part of. You should look them up. www.guidestone.org and look for Mission:Dignity.
One thing I got from the meeting is how important calls, texts, cards, and letters are for these ladies. Some feel lonely and just want to talk or read something encouraging. Some are shut-ins, and some are still very active. Regardless of where they are, they all need to know they matter, that someone in that moment is thinking of them and praying for them. I am sure we all have someone we know who can use an encouraging text, card, or call. I always try to make sure when God places someone on my heart to do just that. I don’t always do a great job of it, but I know it only take 30 seconds to send a text! You may never know what it means to that person but believe me it means so much. It’s almost better than a hug. I said almost because for me hugs are absolutely the best!
Take the time today to ask God to give you someone you can encourage. I believe He will give you that someone or maybe a few someone’s. I have told Lynn how precious those texts were to me but just in case…Lynn, if you are reading this, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are amazing, and I appreciate you so much. You made some of my hard days so much better! I love you!
Confident in His love
Isaiah 54:10
