CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The Moral of the Story

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from

themselves.”

-- Sir James Barrie

“Hi, Cindy. I’ve missed you. How are you and what has God been

teaching you lately?” a friend asked me.

We hadn’t seen each other for awhile and as we talked, I could tell

she truly cared about how I was feeling, what I was doing and what I was

thinking. And I wanted to know the same about her.

I knew she wasn’t mentally rehearsing what she wanted to say the

minute I stopped. We encouraged each other, and when we said we’d pray

about decisions each of us faced, I knew we would do so.

I felt like I’d truly been heard and understood. I felt loved and

refreshed. It reminded me of a proverb that says, “A person’s words can

be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a

bubbling brook.”

Last summer I had an experience that also reminded me of that proverb.

I’d heard the daughter of a friend of mine named Marcia give an inspiring

talk, and Marcia said she had it on her computer. I asked for a copy, but

Marcia explained that her printer was broken.

“Could you e-mail it to me?” I asked.

“I don’t know how to do that yet, but I’d love to learn,”Marcia

answered.

We agreed to talk the next day so I could explain the cutting, pasting

and e-mailing process. It was clear after awhile on the phone, however,

that our computers were very different and that my computer knowledge was

very limited.

Then she remembered where she had instructions, and said she would try

to e-mail me something.

“Be sure to try it first with something you don’t mind losing,” I

said. “I’ve leaned that the hard way.”

Marcia obviously figured it out because her e-mail came through within

a few minutes. I called and complimented her.

“Great,” she said. “Now I’ll try it with the document you actually

want.”

Sure enough, it appeared momentarily. Again I called to tell her.

“Congratulations, you’re wonderful!” I said.

“Thank you, I always hoped I was wonderful,” came the reply.

“Seriously, I’m impressed. I never could have figured it out without

help, and you did it all on your own,” I said.

There was a pause, then the question, “What exactly did I do?” It was

then that I realized that the voice didn’t sound like my friend.

“I’m sorry.” I said. “I think I dialed the wrong number. Is this

Marcia?”

“No, this is Carol.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to have bothered you,” I said.

“It’s no problem at all. In fact, you can call me everyday and tell me

that I’m wonderful. That would be great,” Carol said.

Not knowing just what to say, I said, “God bless you, Carol.”

“I think God just did. Thank you,” Carol said.

I dialed the phone more carefully the next time and Marcia answered. I

explained what happened and we both laughed. I actually wanted to call

Carol back the next day to encourage her, but I never knew what number

I’d misdialed.

I realize that the words out of our mouths can reach and refresh even

those we don’t know. And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.