Thank You For Being A Friend

Dear Jessica Reed,

You don't know me, but you...know me. Because somehow, you kinda knew just what I needed.

You decided to "like" and follow my blog, Super Much Love on Facebook this week. You are Fan #170, but to me you are so much more!

You may not have noticed my silence since the last week of December, but I've lacked inspiration for writing since about the time Santa came to town.

Normally, my mama can instantly kick me into writing gear with an earnest and firm, "So, honey, what are you writing about next?" But she's been silent, perhaps giving me time to get over a doosey of an upper respiratory infection. And a breakup with a spectacularly good guy.

Maybe a week or so to get the ornaments and wrapping paper back into the storage unit.

Call me "stuck in the newness of the New Year cosmos," but golly, I needed you, Miss Reed, and your simple, perfectly-timed "click."

I adore t-shirts, and if I could today, I'd send you one emblazoned with, "The Fabulous Chick Who Changed Things."

Readers, please allow me to encourage you to take a second today and encourage someone about something…

Knock it out.

Thank your husband for sleeping in your bed last night. "I like your warm body next to mine." Tell him while you're both brushing your teeth. If he sprays toothpaste onto the mirror in shock, or smiles really big, voila!

Hug your kids for calling you "Mom," rather than 'The Crazy Lady Who's Usually in a Hurry.'

High-five the Starbucks barista who cranks your latte just the way you like it when it's cold outside and very early inside your still-waking body.

Jot a quick note to your doorman or your postal delivery person or the checker at your favorite grocery store who, after all this time, still seems genuinely interested in how your day's going.

Pop your head into your boss' office and tell them one thing they consistently do right. Like the patience they've shown with the time you've taken off with sick children, or bereavement, or other circumstances beyond your control.

Just get still for a moment, and ask God who He wants you to encourage.

Allow someone to pop into your mind.

Then go for it and surprise Whomever-It-Is with your appreciation for how they do what they do. Your words don't have to be fancy. And it's ok if saying or writing them feels awkward. Relish the awkward! Awkward can be GRAND!

Your effort just may help dislodge what's stuck in that person, and release a whole lot of goodness.

And, I-know-it-sounds-kooky-but…please whisper Jessica's name today when you perform your act of encouragement.

She's a perfect stranger who changed things for me, and...yep - she can for you, too.

I now better understand the "perfect" in "perfect stranger."

Love

-Melinda

Photo Credit: Getty Images