My Grandma: Setting the Pace

I know of no other woman who has personified encouragement through the written word more than my grandma. 

My grandma's life was radically changed and transformed by Jesus just before I was born.  My entire life, she's been all about sharing that story; how God lavishly showed mercy, gave hope, and brought healing.  In so many ways, she's my hero.

In addition to the speaking ministry she had for 30 years, my grandma has been the master letter-writer.  The image that is impressed on my heart is her sitting at her kitchen table, a stack of cards beside her, writing truth and hope into the lives of loved ones near and far.  Some were family; some were old friends.  Some were simply new friends she'd made on one of her speaking engagements.  I vividly remember the many times my grandma returned from her travels, excitedly telling me the stories of the new people she'd met.  She told them she'd follow up with them.  And she did. 

My grandma has always prided herself on being the first to mail and distribute her Christmas cards, right before Thanksgiving.  With her ministry and involvement in the lives of countless people over these years, her card list is incredibly lengthy.  Yet even until a couple of years ago, she included a personal, handwritten letter in each card.  As she closes in on 86 this year, she has finally (somewhat reluctantly, I might add) agreed to accept help and include a typed newsletter in each card.  Yet the thrust of her ministry has not changed.

My grandma points to Jesus.  The words in her cards are not simply the "you can do it ~ believe in yourself ~ you're the best ~ pick yourself up by your bootstraps" type of encouragement.  Rather, they are words of truth and life; words that point to Jesus as the unmovable rock when all of life is swirling; words that assure us that she's praying (and she is); words that remind us that Jesus is coming back, and our greatest joy is in serving and loving Him till He returns.

What a powerful, living legacy she has set before me.  She inspires and motivates me.  She reminds me how, no matter the age or stage or season, God can use us profoundly to reach out and encourage those around us, whether they're right next door or across the seas.  Through the written word and a bit of dedicated time and prayer, we can speak lasting words of hope into the lives of those who so desperately need it.

The team over at [in]courage is all about encouraging women.  If you're not familiar with this awesome community of women, I urge you to pay them a visit.  I'm confident you'll be blessed!  Because they value the importance of reaching out to women, they offered the everyday all occasion cards and the birthday blessings cards to their readers with the loving encouragement to use them to reach out to those in our lives with the love of Jesus.  Thanks so much, Dayspring! Because my grandma has been setting the pace all these years and given me a vision and excitement about this crucial ministry, I was eager to participate in this giveaway.  My grandma's example goes before me, and I am so thankful to be carrying on the same mission she's valued and held to all these years. 

And so today, the question I pose to myself---and to you, dear reader---is this:

Who needs to know that they're noticed...appreciated...supported?
Who in my world needs to hear that I'm rooting for them...rejoicing with them...celebrating them?
Who needs to hear I'm feeling it alongside them...weeping with them...praying for them?
Who needs to be reminded that God is able...faithful...sufficient for every need they face?

Use us, Father, to be friends who intentionally seek to strengthen and encourage hearts in You...