Thoughtfulness

I went out to dinner with some girlfriends last night. We're all Nashville moms so naturally in between chatting about our kids and our busy lives we talked about the recent Nashville floods and how we wished we could do more to help. It's challenging to do everything you'd like to do with an infant or a toddler in tow. We sat there feeling a bit helpless and a little sorry for ourselves.

As we parted ways my sweet friend Steph handed me a card. It was a bit out of the blue (my birthday is in November). I went home, read the card and was so touched by her thoughtfulness. She simply wanted to let me know she was here for me through all the craziness I've been experiencing lately. She didn't need to rearrange her schedule, she didn't need a babysitter. . .she just took a few moments to write me a very meaningful note.

So it got me thinking. Yes, as a mom to little ones, it's challenging to stop everything, put on a tool belt and install drywall for the hundreds, even thousands of people in our area that need help right now. True, we may not be able to give the amount of time or money we wish we could give to these efforts. But that doesn't mean we should just sit around wishing we could help. What if the most powerful thing we could do as women was encourage one another with our words? So I can't jet over to so and so's house to rip out their moldy carpet. But maybe I can send them a note to let them know I am praying for them. Maybe I could ask 5 women to send a note to the girl who just lost the bottom floor of her house. That might mean more to her than anything.

I guess what I'm saying is. . .while action is noble and selfless, words are powerful and can build up or tear down. As women I believe we can help rebuild Nashville with our words just as much as with our hands. If you can find the time and the strategy to get out there and bring people dinner or water or linens then go for it. If you find yourself completely overwhelmed at the idea of springing to action then I implore you to make thoughtfulness your most powerful tool in serving others.

We just have to get creative. Personally when it comes to thoughtfulness I am inspired by old fashioned means. Facebook is awesome but there's something so wonderful about receiving a hand written note. But that's just me. . .

I pray once again that each of us will find a strategy for giving of ourselves during the rebuilding process in Nashville.
Jessica