A Life-Changing Letter

Have you heard of Guideposts magazine? (If you grew up in the Bible Belt in the 70s like I did, you probably have.)

In case you don't know it, Guideposts is a faith-based publication with uplifting true stories. (https://www.guideposts.org/)

Though many of its readers are over the age of 70, I began reading it when I was just 14. And I haven't stopped.

My favorite column is "Mysterious Ways." It's the first page I turn to every time I receive a new issue. This month's story really stayed with me, so I thought I'd share it with you...

Donna Ariosa shared an incident that happened years ago, when she was just a teenager.

She dreamed she was walking through a cemetery late at night. She came upon a tombstone and, as lightning lit up the sky, she was shocked to see her friend Wes' name on it.

Waking up, she was relieved it was just a dream and didn't give it much thought beyond that.

Still, over the next few days, the dream kept coming to mind. She decided she had to tell Wes about it. He'd moved away four years earlier, so finding him proved to be a challenge. But, she finally got his address, wrote him a letter, and mailed it.

She didn't get a response, and eventually forgot about the letter.

Fast forward to four years later. Through a mutual friend, Donna reconnected with Wes.Turns out, at the time he received her letter, he'd been heavy into drugs. He told her that, her dream scared him so badly, he stopped doing drugs right away.

That letter changed the course of Wes' life.

It's amazing how something seemingly small can have a lasting impact on a person's life.

I don't know about you, but I have good intentions -- to send a card, call a friend, take the time to chat with someone I encounter while shopping...

But I don't always take action.

I'm not going to make excuses or beat myself up over not doing so in the past. What I am determined to do is turn over a new leaf. Next time a thought like that comes to mind, I'm going to act on it.

What about you?

During this busy holiday season, why not look for ways to spread a little kindness? It might prove life-changing for someone.