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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\u201cHere Mommy, I want you to have this.\u201d My son handed me a small lump of pyrite better known as Fool\u2019s Gold. The metallic-looking substance brilliantly reflected the room\u2019s light causing countless iridescent rays to dance on its crystalized surface. On an ordinary day, this glistening gold gift would have improved my disposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThank you. It\u2019s beautiful,\u201d I tried to sound enthusiastic since my little boy was patiently waiting for the praise that should follow such sacrificial generosity. I mean what second grader willingly gives up a glittering mineral? Besides, I was trying to conceal my melancholy mood, but Zach sensed it and wanted to brighten my day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maybe, because I was a single mom, my son learned early on about girls and glitter. Admittedly, all females aren\u2019t fans of glam and bling, although sparkly things do make some of us smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that he\u2019s a grown man, Zach doesn\u2019t remember that afternoon. Nor would he know about the strange craving for potato chips and hot sauce I had when I was pregnant with him. Those months of pregnancy were the only time I ate this bizarre combination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Decades ago, greedily munching on greasy chips smothered in smoldering red sauce taught me a valuable lesson. I learned to pay close attention to food cravings, accepting it might be the physical body\u2019s way of saying it has a nutritional need. Our soul and spirit have authentic hunger pangs, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nThis past spring during the Covid-19 lockdown, another strange craving hit me full force. This wasn’t a hankering for an unusual food, rather it was an intense yearning to see something beautiful that glittered. Isn\u2019t this why girls of all ages shop for bedazzled t-shirts, carry ornamented purses, or host costume jewelry parties? Shiny objects don\u2019t have to be expensive, but they do have to glisten in the sunlight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bottom line, the pandemic gloom created an emotional hunger for some sparkle. Although, it wasn’t for necklaces, earrings, or sequined shirts. Part of my longing was to bless someone else, because social distancing made me aware of how much I need female friends. Candidly, I must confess I\u2019m not very good at cultivating or nurturing these important relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yet during the lonely season of sheltering-in-place, I received an inspirational card from a dear friend named Mary. The card\u2019s front cover was sprinkled with decorative gold glitter. It was an encouraging, not-for-any-reason card, reminding me I was “priceless and irreplaceable.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My friend is in her early eighties. She couldn\u2019t have known how immensely the card would comfort me on some rather dark days while sheltering-in-place. More significantly, I believe Mary has a greeting card ministry. This compassionate retired teacher possesses a spiritual gift to send cards which seem to arrive at the exact moment the receiver desperately needs uplifting. Other women from Mary\u2019s circle can attest to this providential timing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t get me wrong, I sincerely appreciate receiving a text, email, or personal social media message from a concerned well-wisher. But there\u2019s something special about going to your mailbox and finding an unexpected envelope containing a thoughtful note from a friend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s why, I decided to follow Mary\u2019s example and fill my craving for something sparkly by sending out some greeting cards myself. It wasn\u2019t \u201cessential\u201d to venture out shopping, instead I purchased an assortment of attractive cards on the Internet. Of course, they were decorated with glitter and an uplifting message. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I ended up mailing a half-dozen greetings out. It was my intent to comfort, encourage, and support a few female family members and friends with some sparkle and heartfelt sentiment. I was blessed back with the incredible sense of reward we receive when we give, expecting nothing in return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, I had been meaning to send a card to the mother of a former college classmate who died in her twenties. We hadn\u2019t been in touch for decades, but this past year, I couldn\u2019t get my late friend\u2019s mom off my mind, so shutdown gave me time to send her a card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her return note turned out to be an unexpected blessing. After all, Covid-19 statistics continue to rise, racial injustice has divided our nation, unemployment is daunting, and we have no idea what tomorrow will hold. Yet this dear lady shared a poignant quote offering hope for the future, \u201cGod\u2019s plans are greater than any plans we can imagine.\u201d That\u2019s truly a guarantee a glitter girl can cling to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nChristina Ryan Claypool is a freelance journalist and inspirational speaker who has been featured on Joyce Meyer Ministries Enjoying Everyday Life TV show and on CBN\u2019s 700 Club. Her most recent inspirational book is “Secrets of the Pastor’s Wife: A Novel<\/a>.” Her amazing life journey includes surviving a near fatal suicide attempt and confinement in a state mental institution as a teen to having a successful life today. Christina has a B.A. from Bluffton University and an M.A. from Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Her website is www.christinaryanclaypool.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cHere Mommy, I want you to have this.\u201d My son handed me a small lump of pyrite better known as Fool\u2019s Gold. The metallic-looking substance brilliantly reflected the room\u2019s light causing countless iridescent rays to dance on its crystalized surface. … Continue reading