Recently I came across a beautiful woman I had met some time back.  During one of my encounters with her she told me about her struggle with her health and the battle she had overcame.  I remember I had commented on her hair.  I had noticed she had shortened her hair and I had complimented her on her new cute look.  She went on to tell me her story and I sat listening to her.  I could see her hurt and fear but I also saw her strength above all else.  I don’t remember my exact words but I gave her words of encouragement and hope that day.   Just recently I spoke with her again and she told me how I had impacted her life greatly and how she has never forgotten the conversation we had.   This time what she didn’t know was that I myself needed words of encouragement.  I needed confirmation that what I am doing is impacting lives.  I had been praying to God about my work and the direction I was heading.  I wanted to make sure I was doing exactly what God wanted me to do. 

This life I am living is a gift.  Everyday we awaken is a gift from God.  I don’t wake up and live life just to live it….just to get through another day.  When God presents an opportunity for me to offer words of encouragement and hope, those are precious gifts He gives to me.  You see, what she didn’t realize was that on this day she was my gift.  I walked away with tears in my eyes and cried thanking God for this beautiful gift.  For me the greatest reward isn’t in a paycheck, it’s when I know that I am not just living life to live it.  I IMPACTED a Life!  I was encouraged to keep doing what God put in my heart.  I was encouraged to keep touching the lives of others.  God reminded me of the sweet gift He has given me.  It’s not just a gift of life to live but a gift of impacting a life. 

Just taking a few moments out of your time to listen to someone, to love someone enough to give them your time and just listen is such a gift.  With our busy schedules we often miss those moments.  We rush through our busy days and overlook that person hurting or needing to talk to someone.  We fail to see the hurt and loneliness.  I was struggling with hurt and pain and she couldn’t see this through my smile.  But she said everything I needed to hear that day.  She could have easily rushed on with her day just like I could have easily rushed past her and just said hi and go about business as usual.  But neither of us did.  I had impacted her life without realizing it that day I listened to her and she in turn impacted my life on a day I needed someone.  Give someone that precious gift of your time.  Give someone those moments of just listening to them.  Be someone that just doesn’t go through life living it just to get past another day.  Be someone that lives life to IMPACT A LIFE!

XOXO…Ileen

psst…God Loves You

“Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”                                   1 Thessalonians 5:11