note cardsI’m not a “saver”.  Yeah, I’ll admit it……I like getting rid of stuff.  I love throwing stuff away.  Or giving it away.  (By the way…..I have a Queen Anne’s style coffee table that I would love to give to someone!)  I’m a minimalist.  I love the convergence of simplicity, beauty and function.  It just makes cleaning easier.  It makes managing my stuff easier.  It’s just “good clean fun” (as Tony Guyer would say).

But there are certain things that I always save.  I save encouraging cards.  I have 7 on my desk right now.  One from Carrie Rudy (thank you, sweet girl), one from Angie Stolzfus (you’re a sweet heart), a deeply thoughtful and tender card from Jaime Sentz, a fun and sweet card from Doug and Brenda (love it, love it–thank you all!), one from dear out-of-town guests, a thank you note from my precious friend Rebekah Kessler, and a deeply encouraging note from Cori’s mom.  (Thank you, Dawn!  Your words mean so much.)

Whenever I receive a note—I am reminded again—of how simple acts of kindness can have a much greater impact than I would expect. I am affected and changed in ways that the original writer probably doesn’t realize. Their words strengthen and help me in ways they couldn’t know.  And I realize again that:  it’s often not the BIG acts of kindness that affect me the most—often it’s the simple acts—the thoughtful note—the little gift—the simple words at church—that strengthen and encourage the most.  It’s just remembering a date.  Or a smile with your greeting.  Or saying, “You are so kind”—that can bring grace and joy to another. And lift them up.

Here’s our happy thought…….simple acts or words of kindness bring grace. Let’s plant gardens of kindness this summer!