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| My 40 year-old nativity scene...Amazing Grace |
Little acts of kindness which we render to each other during this Christmas season, are like flowers by the wayside to the traveler: they serve to gladden the heart and relieve the tedium of life's journey.
When I ran into my neighbor at Hobby Lobby yesterday in Rock Hill, she didn't realize that she was giving me a little act of kindness when she said, "Shaa-ron! I saw your pic-cha in the Fort Mill Times and I'm so proud of you! May I have your auta-graph?"
I could feel my face turn red. I'm famous, I thought. "I'm a radio talk show host too, so be sure to tune it next month," I added as I signed the back of her McDonald's receipt.
"That is wonderful!" Amy yelled for all the store to hear. "Y'all keep up the good work now, y' hear?" and off she strolled down the 50%-off Christmas aisle.
I could feel my face turn red. I'm famous, I thought. "I'm a radio talk show host too, so be sure to tune it next month," I added as I signed the back of her McDonald's receipt.
"That is wonderful!" Amy yelled for all the store to hear. "Y'all keep up the good work now, y' hear?" and off she strolled down the 50%-off Christmas aisle.
My saucy southern neighbor had caught me off guard. After I pulled myself together (head up, shoulders back), I walked out of Hobby Lobby with a new sense of pride, thinking that I should start applying more lipstick and begin carrying pen and paper. Now I know what it's like for Sally Field when she walks down the street...ahhh, yes!
Amy didn't realize that she had given me the best gift ever: a word of encouragement for me to keep on writing. Then I got to thinking...sometimes we just don't realize who we are influencing. Like me, most writers don't write for fame and money. If you are, unless you're J.K. Rowling, forget it (although she does have an amazing story). I write to encourage women to beLeaf* in themselves and that it's never too late to reach those goals and to dream those impossible dreams and watch them come true.
Ladies, no matter what your circumstances, you have the power to influence those around you, either for good, or for bad--I almost wrote evil, but that's a bit harsh for the Christmas season. And no matter what you are going through, remember, Jesus is with you. Invite Him to change your environment. He can work miracles with your circumstances. Only beLeaf.
Ladies, no matter what your circumstances, you have the power to influence those around you, either for good, or for bad--I almost wrote evil, but that's a bit harsh for the Christmas season. And no matter what you are going through, remember, Jesus is with you. Invite Him to change your environment. He can work miracles with your circumstances. Only beLeaf.
Oceans of blessings to all you WINning women during this holiday season. Happy Christmas and Merry New Year!
See you on the radio!
See you on the radio!
If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously...and if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:8 NLT
FYI: www.blogtalkradio.com
"Gate Beautiful" on Red River Radio
Shaaa...rrron!
ReplyDeleteCan I have your autograph, too!?!?!
I know just what you mean
...it's such a gift to be encouraged.
So glad heaven blew you a kiss
just then
and you were watching
and so you caught it:)
-Jennifer
Jen, now I'm blowing a kiss to you today,
ReplyDeleteto say that your words and your art encourage me
to look at life in a more colorful, poetic way,
...even through the tough times.