Little Things Make a Big Difference

A couple of months ago, after I sent my sweet Nathaniel Ellis to heaven, one of my friends gave me this sweet gift. It was meant to be a pick-me-up and it sure was! I could tell she had spent a lot of time choosing each item that went into the gift and decorating everything. It was all so beautiful and did exactly what it was designed to do - it picked me up! What a sweet way for her to show me that she loves me and was thinking of me. I am inspired by her and by this gift to try to find ways to encourage others with gifts. I’m not very good at giving gifts, in fact I’m terrible at it, but this sweet friend showed me that any kind of gift can be meaningful.  Thanks girl! I love you!







A couple of weeks ago another friend of mine made me this beautiful piece of art. It has five hearts that are all connected. Each heart bears the name of one of my children, including one for my two-year-old daughter. It reminds me of something I would have made or purchased if all of my children were living and growing up together - that’s what I love most about it!





When she brought it she also brought me some of my favorite candies - Butterfingers! What a treat! I know it probably seemed like a small gesture to her. She simply came by, gave me the gift, and left. But to me it was very meaningful. It showed me that I am not the only one who thinks of my sweet children who are already in heaven. She thinks of them too! As a mom, that is something I long for - to know that my children matter. And that’s what my friend’s sweet gift showed me, that they do!


Thanks, friend,  for being so thoughtful, for remembering my children, and for reaching out to me. I love you!

Then last week I wrote something on Facebook about wishing I had some cake. And lo and behold, the next time I was at church someone had left me a piece of cake with a sweet card and note that was such a blessing to me, letting me know that I wasn’t alone in the kind of loss I have experienced. I don’t even know who brought it, but it meant so much to me!

I hate to mention more gifts, because I know I’ll leave something important out, but other things my sweet friends have brought me at different times during these last months have been yummy treats like chocolate shakes and frappuccinos, candy, flowers, and meals and one sweet friend even sent me an adorable necklace! I never knew what a blessing things like that could be. How amazing that a chocolate shake can make the worst day in your life a little more bearable!

And of course, I have received notes, emails, and letters that have uplifted me over and over again. Just knowing that others have been through some of what I have been through helps me to stay strong. Hearing that I have been encouraging to someone else reminds me that I’m on the right track and I shouldn’t stop trying to honor God the best way I know. Reminders that people are praying for me and love me keep me going when the tough days come.

So a huge thanks to my friends who have gone out of their way to show me that they are thinking of me and praying for me. You all have really carried me through this hard time! And beyond that, you have challenged my way of thinking about how to be a blessing to others. Sometimes it seems so out of reach or so difficult to find a way to lift someone up. But now I see that any effort to encourage really can be meaningful, especially if I’m sincere and am spending time praying for the person I want to encourage. The little things really can make a big difference and to me they have been a better blessing than I could have imagined!

Comments

  1. I love that Sunshine bag idea!! How adorable...I bet you had fun picking through that :)

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