Intentional Relationships

 



Relationships.

As far back as I can remember, my Grandpa Herb would call me on my birthday.

I loved getting that phone call where he would sing just for me. As soon as I said ‘hello’ he'd launch into the melody. Then he'd ask about my day, talk about the weather, and wish me a happy birthday. My family lived hours away from my grandparents and we only got to see them a few times a year. So, hearing his voice, and knowing he was calling just to talk to me - it was a sweet moment I looked forward to. He and my grandma had over 20 grandchildren and I know every single one of them got the same kind of call on their birthday.

The first birthday I had after he passed, I grieved the loss of that occasion.

But, thankfully, his daughter (my mom!) has continued this tradition with her own grandkids. My kids love it when Grandma Karen calls and sings them happy birthday. I'm thankful that she has continued the tradition with the next generation and that my kids get to have this same kind of act of love shown to them every year.

 

Just a reminder that it could be the little things you do that will make the biggest impact. It was less than 5 minutes of my grandpa’s day, but this gesture meant the world to me.

What small things in your day to day life are making a different in the relationships around you? Or, what can you start doing that can feed those relationships now?

Maybe it's a post-it note in a lunchbox to a spouse.

A daily text to your teen just to say hi.

Looking for the shy-wallflowers and making sure those on the fringe feel included.

A nightly snuggle and book reading with your child - even when they're past the age of sitting on your lap.

 Dropping off a coffee to a friend whose been on quarantine.

We can tend to shove aside the little things, feeling like the actions that are worth doing are the big things. Sure, we may remember the grand gestures, but the small, constant acts of love will be what will speak to the heart and take root.

Your small acts that may even feel unnoticed or underappreciated may be exactly what that person needs. Keep intentionally showing up in little ways. The effort is worth more than you may ever know.

Want to get this weekly encouragement delivered right to your inbox? Start HERE.

Comments

Post a Comment

Tell me how you live intentional. I'd love to know!

Popular posts from this blog

The jig is up

Image
OK, I've kept it a secret for 6 months, but now that it's over, I'm bragging on my man. : ) Since April, Paul has been training to run the Columbus Marathon. We were able to get a few days off of work, grandparents watched the kids, and on Saturday morning Paul and I headed down to Columbus. We headed downtown to pick up his race packet and then spent the rest of the day and night with Ben, Jaime, and Alayna . Dark and early (5 AM) Sunday morning we rolled out of bed, Paul got geared up, and we headed downtown again to find a decent parking spot. Thankfully we found a good place to park and had Paul to the starting area at 6:30 AM (an hour before start). Ben graciously came along so I didn't have to wander around Columbus on my own -thanks, Ben! It was mid-30's at the start with a slight breeze, but skies were clear and the sun came out once it rose. Ben and I saw Paul off at the start and then headed to the halfway point (got some coffee along the way) and
Read more

Madeline Nichole Suvar

Image
The newest addition to our family came into this world on February 1st. She weighed 6 lbs 3 oz and was 19 inches long. She surprised us all with having black hair - Owen and Hannah were born with next to nothing for hair and even then it was real light. She impressed the doctors at the hospital by gaining back her birth weight and passing it by an ounce (a rarity, I guess). Our first day at home (today) went well. She was awake for most of the morning and through lunch and then took a nap in the afternoon. She nurses well and doesn't get upset by all the noise Owen and Hannah make. Hannah loves to come over and pat her on the head and Owen will talk to her and hold her hand. I am working on wrapping my mind around the fact that I am a mother of 3 - it makes me feel old! :) I'm healing well from my C-Section, the hardest part is forcing myself to stay put and letting Paul do things for me. He's a great nurse, cook, father, husband.... : )
Read more

Of loss and hope

Image
Thank you to those who have reached out to me, prayed for me, since my post on Sunday. I am humbled yet again by the love of Christ, and His followers. I spoke of hope. And truly I am learning more about hope as life goes on.  I understand it more than I did 10 years ago. And even now, this week, I feel I am seeing new dimensions of it that I did not know existed. I am a realist. With a small dose of optimism.  And I think that it is that sprinkling of optimism that is keeping me from swinging way over to the pessimistic side of things. Because I truly want things to work out, HOPE that things will work out.  But I keep my hand on the shift knob, because I just may have to throw things into a lower gear because well, I'm just hoping for things to work out, but kinda doubt they will. I hope that made sense to someone.  You may need to go back and read it.  I'll wait. .......... I think I live most of my life, and approach most circumstances, like that.
Read more