I met her at my church. She introduced herself after seeing me at our annual women's conference, gave me one of the best hugs I've ever been given and we exchanged numbers. Months and months went by without me using it. Still seeing her on Sundays as she greeted me with the most comforting smile and one of those amazing hugs again and again. Despite our lack of knowledge of the goings-ons of each others lives our spirits connected. I felt like I knew her. I felt like I've loved her my whole life.
Late one night I felt a strong urge to let her know that I was thinking of her. But, I hesitated. The typical excuses crossed my mind. It's too late. It won't make a difference. It's not like you have something "legitimate" to say. But as the minutes passed by, I just couldn't get her out of my head. And, so I wrote...
Hi...It's Syreena from church :) I'm sorry it's so late and I hope this doesn't wake you... I just had you on my mind and didn't want any more time to go by without letting you know... I LOVE YOU! Thank you for your hugs and I always love seeing your gorgeous face time and time again! I'll call you soon :) goodnight!
I felt silly. But at the same time I felt obedient. I felt like I had taken a step toward my purpose (strange but true). And, this was her reply...
Good morning baby girl, I just wanted you to know I am thinking about you and praying for you. Have a great day and week. You are precious to God and me.
Super sweet. And, I thought that was that until I saw her again, at church, a few weeks later. She stopped me. We hugged. Then she began to tell me how much my little text meant to her. She told me that it made her feel special and that, get this, so special she cried!!! That was when it hit me. It hit me that all I had to do was take a few minutes of my busy day to stop and send a simple text that made her feel love inside. And because God is love, it made her feel God inside.
***insert huge light bulb HERE***
Each and every hug we exchanged from then on was full of hopes for one another and an indescribable amount of love. And, the texting continued as well...
Hiiiii...Sorry just getting back to you. The holidays were a bit crazy but I'm so excited for this new year!!! Love knowing that I am precious to you! I only pray you know that I feel the same about you! Can't wait to hug you for the first time this year!!!
That was mine to her.... and this was her reply...
I can't wait to hug you either baby girl. And, know without a doubt only God connected us. I love you!
Through our simple messages to one another it was made more and more clear to me that it is relationships just like these that sustain us.

something SO small and yet SO big at the same time...

This is the part when my mind began to spin. I began thinking of how consumed I have been with my own needs and wants and how little time I spent thinking about being a change in someone else's life. I had spent the last year or so discovering my faith and finding that, "What matters most is faith expressed through love."~galations 5:8, but what exactly is this thing called love? And, what are tangible, realistic ways to be and show love???
I started making a list of small things. Small things that would show someone love. Show them patience. Show them kindness. Show them that I'll never give up. That I will always be hopeful. Small things to show them LOVE! And, this is when I decided to challenge myself, yet again. A challenge to stop focusing on my own wants and needs, issues and problems. But, instead, to use a fraction of each and every day to DO something small, something lovely....to DO something....one lovely THING at a time...
Do something PATIENT. Do something KIND. Do something that shows them that you'll NEVER GIVE UP. Do something that says you'll always be HOPEFUL. Do something that is evidence that you're willing to ENDURE through it all. Something HUMBLE. Something POLITE. Something FLEXIBLE. Something to show that you're STARTING FRESH TODAY... Do something LOVELY. One THING at a time....
I have added a separate tab/journal to document this little challenge of mine. A challenge that will have no end, but instead become my way of life. My Life Through Love....
sidenote. I'll also be tweeting the "smaller" lovely things with the hashtag #onelovelything because they count just as much ;) So make sure you follow me @syreena_b
XoXo,
Syreena