I'm a fan of social media. It's a fact and those who know me know it well. It has its faults and issues I'll admit. But it has some wonderful qualities as well. I'll address the flaws at some later date but today I'd like to talk about the good sides.
It's magical the people you can come in contact with who you'd ordinarily never meet. Several weeks ago I was over on Evy's Tree's blog and she featured a fundraiser she was doing to help fund an adoption for Emmy over at It's Just Emmy. I'd never encountered Emmy and her blog nor the amazing adoption loving community on Instagram. I didn't need any more hoodies so I didn't buy one even though I found Emmy's story touching. However as I clicked through some of her other posts I found another fundraiser. This one was for a print of a lovely quote by Amy Lou.
When the Lord places a calling on your life He also provides the map & the lamp to guide your path. All you have to do is follow.
I loved it and bought it immediately. Later on I got the print and Amy Lou had sent me several extras as well. The generosity this stranger had astounded me. To do a fundraiser for someone whom I believe she's never met AND through in extras with purchases she was already making no profit on was amazing.
As I continued to look at her posts and those of others I was inspired by their giving ways and the friendships formed among these women. I watched in amazement as Emmy has continued to host fundraisers for other adoptive parents after sweet Georgia's adoption was fully funded. I watched strangers give to people they'd never met. Somewhere along the way their attitudes rubbed off on me. Not only have they inspired me to make time to be crafty and create beauty instead of worrying about making it perfect they have also inspired me to give. This week I found myself reading a post by someone on Facebook who frankly occasionally annoys me. However a post that would previously have irritated me instead inspired sympathy. I still have to check my attitude on a regular basis but after the influence of these lovely ladies I instead decided to find a way to bless this person who is obviously going through a rough patch. Later on I was shopping and about to buy a second pair of boots (obviously a want not a need) and then remembered a little girl from my church's bus route wearing sandals last night when it was 35 degrees outside and headed over to find a pair of flats for her instead.
I don't say this for you all to know that I did something "good" but to marvel at the impact these giving ladies that I've never met have had on me. Social media can be a time wasting, depressing technology, but it can also connect us with people better than we might without. It can allow others to influence us and vice versa. It's amazing. Find someone who makes you want to be a better person and follow them. Let their light ignite yours.
