But this isn't the first time I've sent Grace something this year.
In early January, God put Grace on my heart in a special way. Like a gentle nudge or a light bulb that suddenly goes off out of nowhere, I felt like I should reach out to Grace once a month for an entire year.
I really try to pay attention when God speaks to me in this way. Surprising me with ideas that aren't my own, putting people in my thoughts who I haven't heard from in a while, and things like that. Because He knows better than I do who needs encouragement, love, and just moments of feeling special. And if God wants to use me to bring that to others, I don't want to miss out.
Thus began "the Grace card".
The first "rule" of the Grace card was that this is not a pen-pal relationship. This is me pouring into Grace's life, expecting nothing in return.
Do you remember what it was like to be 11? It was hard! I had glasses and braces and a really bad perm. All of my girlfriends had started their periods except me and they talked about it like it was some sort of glamorous transition into womanhood that "someday" I too would be part of. Some days I had best friends and boyfriends and other days my best friend was flirting with and stealing my boyfriend. I would spend hours on the phone after school (talking about what I have no idea!). I got all of my wisdom teeth pulled and went to Space Camp and was introduced to volleyball, my new favorite sport. And wouldn't it have been nice to be reminded monthly that someone "out there" had my back?
I had a miscarriage about a year before Christina got pregnant with Grace. So I can imagine if my own daughter was now a pre-teen that I would have loved if the women in my life were pouring into hers. That it would have been as encouraging to me as a mom as it was to her as a young lady. To know that there were others out there praying for my family, my daughter, and her future.
The next "rule" of the Grace card was that everything I pour into Grace line up with the values that her parents are already instilling in her. Christina and I have very similar faith and family values, which makes this fairly easy. But if you are considering a "Grace card" of your own, keep in mind that you don't encourage anything the child's parents would frown upon. That doesn't mean I don't try to challenge Grace, but I know I can do that because she has great parents who will discuss any questions or thoughts she has.
The final "rule" of the Grace card is to be faithful in sending them monthly. I made a promise to Grace in January that she would hear from me once a month and it is important that I stand by my word.
So, now that we're in June, we're up to "Grace card #6" of 12. Grace has gotten cards, pictures, postcards from France and Spain, and most recently her birthday present. I follow her mom on Facebook so that I can see what Grace is involved in and try to incorporate that into my letters. I also tell her what is going on in my life and the lessons I am still learning as an adult. And I think it has been as fun for me as it has for her!
I encourage you to listen to your heart and see where God is leading you to serve. Maybe it is a "Grace card" of your own or something similar. Maybe it is picking up the phone or visiting someone in a nursing home. Maybe it is something you have been putting off, or maybe a light bulb will go off and you'll have a new idea you've never thought of. Whatever it is, be faithful to follow through!
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