I’ve been cruising my Facebook feed, checking in on friends and family. Facebook has been both a blessing and a curse – it’s a great way to keep up, but we can’t replace real relationships with it. I have a good number of “friends” on Facebook that I’ve accumulated over the years. Hailing from different parts of my life from high school, college, sorority sisters, youth ministry, church, work, neighbors, friends, and parents of my kid’s friends. I’m of the mind that God puts people in your life for a reason, season or a life time and I’m genuinely curious as to how my friends are doing.
I love seeing the new pictures of family adventures, wedding pictures, inspiring trips, brand new babies to love and just plain silly stuff we come across that tickles the funny bone.
I happened to notice several friends seemingly broken hearts. A husband who has left his wife. The loss of a loved one to cancer. The loss of a baby. Worry over work. Loss of a job. The struggles of a child who is battling disease. Single parenting, dual parenting, illness, demanding kids, messy weather, and complete loneliness. With technology today we have the opportunity to peek into friends lives without their even knowing it. Nothing replaces an arranged coffee date, a hug, a handwritten card in the mail, or a call of encouragement. Nothing. Get your pen and paper out, write a note of encouragement, apology, sympathy, love, hope, inspiration or humor. Pick up the phone and call someone…. just because you’ve been thinking about them. Don’t ask for anything, just give the gift of “thinking of you”. Put down your devices and engage in real conversation over coffee or a meal. Hug the ones you love and care about – it’s the simple gesture or touch that may completely turn their day around. Be there…. for real, God may heal the broken hearts through you. Be a spirit lifter.
Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted, and saves the crushed in spirit.
Unwind Out Loud 