Running Late Because of Snow

OK...before the actual post explaining my last resolution, I have to tell why I'm late. I'm not breaking my first resolution of posting 3 times a week yet! We had a NC snow day today.

For those of you that don't live in our beloved state, let me explain how this works. Weather people begin mentioning snow in their forecasts a week ahead. It becomes the instant most popular topic of conversation everywhere. Excitement begins to build.

The day before the forecasted snow, all N. Carolinians make a trip to the grocery store to buy bread, milk and eggs. (As a friend of mine from NYC used to say, "What are they all doing? Making French toast?!")

At around 7:00 pm the day before, school systems begin delaying or cancelling school. Yes, before one snowflake falls. If any of my mid-western sisters are reading this, I can imagine the incredulous look on your faces. In defense of my southern-self let me just say that this is a very good idea. We southerners have no idea how to drive in snow, and there really is imminent danger.

Today, we got a 2-hour delay of school (YEAH!!) and not one single itty-bitty snowflake (BOOO!!) Anyway, I'm writing my post late because of hypothetical snow.

Now to the real topic--my last resolution. My last resolution was inspired by a comment I heard second-hand. It was a treasured friend of mine who told a mutual friend that she felt less than treasured, and it hurt my heart.

I began thinking about what it means to feel valued and how Satan lies to us constantly to make us feel "less than". My resolution is to be intentional about doing something once a week to let a person that I love know that I treasure them.

I have some people around me that naturally have this gift. They are very intune to the people around them, sense needs and do practical things to meet those needs. My mom is the sweetest note-writer in the world. My friend LeAnn does incredible things like cooking meals or making beautiful crystal boxes filled with personalized scripture. My friend Julie, who is on my prayer team, makes sure to come talk to me and encourage me every Sunday before church. These are thoughtful women who are a huge blessing to all around them.

I have some other gifts, but this brand of practical thoughtfulness is not one of them. It's not an excuse though. I could say forever, "That's just not my personality," while robbing myself of the joy of becoming made more into the image of Jesus.

So today I'm going to post a note with two questions on my bathroom mirror: Who around you is feeling unloved and undervalued? What have you done about it?

I've already done one intentional thing this week, and I cannot begin to express what joy it has brought. I've walked around with perma-grin all week because of this person's reaction. It must be just a fraction of what God feels when He pours out His lavish love and His abundant blessings!