So I have to share this with you all. Last spring I gave some of my friends something special. You see, these friends had been planning to go abroad, graduate, or change their campus the next year. I gave them notes of encouragement for the coming year. Most of the notes included this verse: "Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
I had no idea how these notes would come back to me. Just last week I got an email from my friend who is in another country as a student missionary. In this country she has to be careful of using certain words having to do with Christianity. So in this excerpt of the email you may see some words changed, that is just for her protection. We've had to be creative and think of new ways to get certain ideas across.
"Sara, I have to tell you. Last week was my first week of teaching here, and it was really stressful figuring out all the ropes. Tuesday morning, I was really discouraged and downright scared to go back to teach, even though that was totally irrational. I talked with my father and asked him, how on earth am I supposed to bond with my students and make them feel at home in my class when I’m so scared? How will it be possible to become friends with them? And then, your note you gave me last year fell out of the book I was reading: “Do not be afraid, and do not be dismayed…Thank you for being my friend…you can do it!” It brought tears to my eyes when I read that. I taught class that day and the next, and was still nervous, but I survived. Then, on Thursday, the burden of fear was suddenly lifted. So thank you for that note. It made a big difference."
I thought I would share this with you to show how giving notes of encouragement can make a big difference in someone's life, and in yours too. This email was encouraging to me, that I made a difference. If I hadn't given her the note who knows how she would have dealt with that day? She would have but it would have been different for sure.
She's not the only one. Other friends told me the note has been encouraging to them, although not a particular instance like the one above, but they have been helped. So I want to encourage you to give friends a note every once in awhile. It will make a big difference.
