Spreading Holiday Joy: A Letter from a Stranger

      My friend received a letter from a stranger last week.

      She was telling me about this girl she passed frequently in the parking lot at our local community college. She said that every time she saw her, she gave her a friendly smile and wave, which the girl returned.

      Last week, the girl came up to her, said hi, and handed her a piece of paper. “I have something for you.”

      My friend showed me the letter and it blew me away.

Dear Sweet Stranger,

      You must know, throughout this semester you have been the best part of my day. Life has its HARD seasons, and the last year and a half has been nothing resembling easy for me. I’ve been making it through, day by day, but little brings me lasting joy, and it’s difficult to look forward to the future. Fortunately, I know this won’t last, so I patiently wait for the next season of growth.

      So why do I write you, you wonder? To thank you. Your smile brightened my day, lifted my spirit, and gave me a glimmer of joy that lasted longer than anything else in a long while. I found myself looking forward to crossing paths with you between classes, just so I could encounter your smile that is so warm and genuine.

       Very few people make eye contact, smile, and greet others they pass. We so easily get caught up in our world, and forget to notice, and acknowledge, others. I applaud you for setting a wonderful example of the power of connecting with and “seeing” others. It is contagious and impacts people more than you know! Keep on keepin’ on, you’re going a fantastic job.

      Love,

      A Grateful Passerby

      This is an honest, true letter my friend received last week from a stranger.

      Reading it again made me want to cry.

      My friend understands this Christmas season far better than most. We get wrapped up in our own little worlds and forget to acknowledge others. Aren’t we so thankful Christ isn’t like that? He was thinking about us when He humbled Himself to the form of a human baby, walking on this broken earth, and died for us.

      But my friend took the time simply to smile at a random stranger. This stranger was a person with deep pain and who was struggling. To think that a smile could be someone’s only hope in life right now!

      During this holiday season, I ask you, will it be your smile that gives joy and hope? Or will you leave the job to my one friend?

      Our smiles give hope because we are alive in Christ. This stranger saw Christ in my friend, and Christ gave her hope.

      Remember people this Christmas season. Remember the pain of those around you.

      Remember that your sins are forgiven, and you are free. Remember that Christ’s joy belongs to you.

      Spread it to the world!

THE COMMENT SECTION IS FIXED!!! *happy dance!* 
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An Open Letter to...My Sister

This is the first installment of the series entitled, "An Open Letter to...". If you would like to participate in this series, please visit the Guest Posting page!

Dear Sister,

There's a quote that says "there's no better friend than a sister." It's printed on Hallmark cards, and pillows, and art to hang on the walls. It's one of those clichés that you find when you do a Google search of "gifts for your sister" or "sister quotes." And, even though it's kind of cheesy and every sister in the world has heard it, I think it's true.

Sister, I've known you for your whole life, I've seen you grow up and develop some awesome character traits. You're so determined and strong-willed and responsible. Even at fifteen, I saw you exhibiting motherly characteristics and understanding things that were well beyond your years. 

I've been there through the good things in your life—I’m your number one fan, because I’m your older sister and I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. But I’ve also been through the hard things with you. There's no one else in this world who has experienced everything that you have, except me. Moving, our parent’s divorce, confusion—I know how you feel, because I feel those same things.

Proverbs 17:17 says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." We are sisters for a reason, we were born to love each other at ALL times (even those times when we were younger and we got on each other’s nerves), we were born to stand next to each other and stand up for one another and just be there when things were rough. 

I won't always have the words to say to comfort you, and I won't always be close enough to give you a hug, but I promise to always be available to listen to you, to pray for you, to cry with you and rejoice with you. Because you're not only my sister, but you're my dearest friend.

I want to say thank you—because you have taught me a lot. You are the first person I’ve loved more than myself, the person I was most sad about leaving when I went to college. You taught me responsibility and patience and how to laugh in the most ridiculous ways at the most ridiculous things. 

I hope you have learned from me as well, from my mistakes and my advice and the way I live my life. But what I hope you have learned the most is love. I want you to know and believe how loved you are, by so many people—our parents, me, friends, family. I want you to know and believe in the crazy good love of God. You are loved dearly, more than you can imagine.

I love you little sister.

Love,

   Brittanie

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