Tuesday, April 23, 2013

You Can Change Lives

Sandra Orchard here to tell you that you have something very significant to offer other people: You!

You don't have to be a published writer to touch lives, or have accomplished some heroic act, or be expert in some field. You've had many experiences in your life--both positive and negative--and others can benefit immensely from that experience...if you're willing.

There are infinite opportunities to come alongside someone and encourage them.
Do you see yourself in any of these roles?

As a young mom, I was blessed to have more experienced moms (and even teens who'd had more babysitting experience than me!!!) offer encouragement and advice and lend a helping hand. And to tell me that yes, it's perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed by it all sometimes.



As a home educator, I was blessed by the experience of those who'd navigated through the grades and stages ahead of me and were willing to share their experience, their resources, their triumphs and their frustrations.

Oops! How did that get in there?!

When I lost my parents, I was blessed by those who weren't afraid to cry with me, to bare their hearts, and share their own journeys through grief.

As a new believer, I was blessed by those who'd not only encourage me to go to church, but go out of their way to drive me, by those who'd lead by example, by those who'd hold be accountable, and especially by those who weren't afraid to be real about their struggles.

As a young wife, I was blessed by older women who helped me master cooking a Christmas turkey, building gingerbread houses, navigating a tax return, balancing the many aspects of running a home.


 As a wife at every stage, I've been blessed by women who'd be transparent about the emotional roller coaster marriage can be and who didn't shy away from asking the hard questions or offering advice.

As an aspiring writer, I was blessed by the encouragement of other writers, both published and aspiring. Women who freely shared their knowledge, their experiences, and offered their advice and prayers.


As a published writer, I continue to be blessed by the mentorship of other writers--and not just published ones. I have several critique partners who offer me invaluable advice, and encouragement with every manuscript, and who pray for me. This is a huge time commitment on their part and I am so grateful for them.


 I love being on the other side of the scenarios above, too. The most fulfilling, of course, is coming alongside my own daughter as she raises my granddaughter, and awaits a second. Yee! (Sorry, couldn't help it those squeals just come out uncontrollably sometimes.)



Whatever your vocation, passion, hobby, you have likely been blessed by someone who has taken time to help you grow in it.


And you can do the same for others.

Your Turn: How has someone touched your life? Don't be shy about sharing. You may inspire someone to touch another's life in what you say!


7 comments:

  1. this is a tough question as many have touched me over the years.
    I have had people I only know online that have touched me. Last year when I got out of hospital I had some online friends (who know who they are) bought me a microwave to heat up food as they heard I didn't have one and how a neighbour had made me some meals that I could warm up. they also knew I didn't have the strength to cook (even cooking toast was to hard to start.) A friend at the same time brought up some wood so I wouldn't have to go out to do it which was so special.

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  2. What wonderful expressions of love, Jenny! And I know you are such an encouragement to the LI authors here and around the blogosphere. :)

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  3. Jenny, thank God for your health.

    We are rich when we have caring people around us.

    Several people have touched my lives in all aspects that I can't even start mentioning. Thank God for wonderful friends.

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  4. Wonderful post Sandra!! Great insights--and I know what you mean, I feel blessed by so many people who have helped me in so many different ways.
    So glad to have you as a friend! God bless!!

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  5. Thank you, Amber, I so appreciate your friendship, too :) Thanks for dropping by!

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  6. Great post Sandra. I think it's important to reach out. I sometimes wish I'd stayed in my hometown where I knew just about everyone and where my parents were. I think as a mobile society, we so often lose touch with those who influence we need the most.

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  7. Wonderful post, Sandra. Thank you for the reminder of all the amazing people who have helped me through the years. There are too many to count! Every author knows that it takes an army-load of help and encouragement before a single book is printed. My list could go on and on. The same is true throughout life. Yes indeed, we need to pass it on.

    PS - ROFLOL at the duct tape photo!

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