You touch lives every day, for better or for worse, but often you don't realize you're making a difference. My husband, a retired physician, recently attended the funeral of a professional friend he'd known for years. The friend's grown children came up to him to express their appreciation for his friendship. “When we were going through Daddy's things,” they said, “we found the letter you wrote him when he retired. It meant so much to him that he kept it in his Bible.”
My guest Annette Petrick shares a similar experience in this episode. Use the audio player below to listen to this 90-second show.
Our interaction with others really matters. You can make someone’s day with a sincere compliment or turn someone sullen with an inconsiderate, hurtful remark. What a treasure it is to find out that something you said or did had a positive impact on someone. Often, you never find that out. Sometimes, it falls into your lap.
Annette Petrick for Consider This
Annette Petrick is the creative genius and inspired storyteller behind the Consider This Radio Show, featuring dozens of colorful 90-second episodes serving up “timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks.” You'll laugh, cry, rant, cheer, or remember. Be sure to get on her email list HERE to receive a new episode every Sunday morning.
The show “I Was In Her Prayerbook” appeared originally on the Consider This Radio Show website. CLICK HERE to read a transcript of the show.
You might also enjoy these Heartspoken posts:
“You Matter And You Make A Difference” by Elizabeth H. Cottrell
“What We Say Makes A Difference” by Elizabeth H. Cottrell
“Make Someone's Day Today” by Elizabeth H. Cottrell with NPR video by Drew Dudley
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This is so true. It always pays to be kind. Thanks for sharing.
It really does, doesn’t it, Kelly? Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
Most of the time, we don’t know how much a word we spoke, a letter or card we sent, a phone call to say we care – means to that person. I have cards saved from friends that are from 30 years ago, as well as recent ones. Every once in a while, I read them and again get a deep sense of love and happiness by those long-ago written words.
Recently I reached out to a person (related by family but not closely) who has pushed me away often. I stopped trying, but last week I sent her a card after hearing that a close friend of hers had passed away. Suddenly, I received a text with a photo of the card, and several sentences telling me how much the card meant to her. YAY! It worked! We should never give up reaching out to others and letting them know we care. It WILL make a difference, at some point.
Ahhh, what a poignant story, Pam — not only does it show how much the small things we do can matter, but it shows we should never give up on someone.
I’m like you — I save those special notes and letters, and it is such a gift to pull them out and re-read them. The pleasure never diminishes. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
Your message is an important one, Pamela. Never give up! Does not matter if they love you back or not; just keep on loving.
Thanks for sharing.