Truly, Madly, Deeply (The Baxters #31) - Karen Kingsbury Page 0,96
place. How would you have handled a situation like that? Share about a time when you experienced a tragedy or terrible event. What helped you get through that?
Tommy brings sandwiches to the police officers on Christmas Eve. Do you and your family do something for police officers and firefighters at Christmastime or any time? Talk about how you show your appreciation to first responders.
What did you learn about fear while reading Truly, Madly, Deeply? Share about your greatest fears. How do you manage those fears?
YOU WERE SEEN MOVEMENT
I’m thrilled to report that the You Were Seen movement is sweeping the nation and even the world, especially in light of the recent Coronavirus pandemic.
I started the You Seen Movement as a way of truly seeing people. “This is a movement of gratitude and generosity,” I tell people when they ask about You Were Seen. “We have a chance to acknowledge someone every time we leave the house.”
The movement centers around the “You Were Seen” cards. A card (a little bigger than a business card) can be given to food servers, baristas, medical personnel, delivery drivers, cashiers, and anyone in the service sector. Anyone you choose to thank. You simply take a moment to look into the eyes of a stranger, thank them, and hand them a You Were Seen Card.
Jesus says they will know we are Christians by our love, by the way we treat people. You Were Seen is a non-denominational way to truly love the people you interact with every day.
The movement also encourages generosity. Where appropriate, people in this movement leave generous tips. One man wrote to me and said, “I gave the woman behind the counter a You Were Seen card and a fifty percent tip as I grabbed takeout the other day. I looked her in the eyes and said, ‘Thank you for what you do. You matter. And today you were seen!’ The woman had tears in her eyes as she took the card and the tip. It was the highlight of my week.”
People say the “You Were Seen” cards give them purpose. Every encounter with a stranger is a chance to show the love of God to a hurting world. It’s also a chance to fulfil our God-given calling—to share the love of Jesus to all the world.
Often we save money for an oversees mission trip. Then we spend the other fifty-one weeks of the year walking past people without really seeing them. But there are people in our own cities who desperately need hope and encouragement, faith and recognition. They need to be seen. By leaving a “You Were Seen” card and a better-than-average tip, you might change someone’s life.
Always when you leave a Seen card, you will let a stranger know that their hard work was seen in that moment. They were noticed! What better way to spread love? The “You Were Seen” card will then direct people to the website—www.YouWereSeen.com. At the website, people will be encouraged and reminded that God sees them every day. Always. He knows what they are going through.
Get involved in the You Were Seen Movement today. Visit the website to get a pack of ten “You Were Seen” cards and read about this effort that is sweeping the nation.
Every day should be marked by a miraculous encounter.
ONE CHANCE FOUNDATION
The Kingsbury family is also passionate about seeing orphans all over the world brought home to their forever families. As a result, they created a charity called the One Chance Foundation.
This foundation was inspired by the memory of Karen’s father, Ted C. Kingsbury. Ted always said, “Life is not a dress rehearsal. We have one chance to love, one chance to truly live!”
Karen often tells her reader friends, “You have one chance to write the story of your life!”™ Now, with Karen’s One Chance Foundation, readers can join her in the belief that all of us have one chance to make a difference in the lives of orphans.
In the Bible, James 1:27 says people with pure and faultless religion are those who look after orphans. If you are interested in giving to Karen’s One Chance Foundation and having your dedication printed in one of Karen’s upcoming novels, visit www.KarenKingsbury.com. Below are dedications from Karen’s readers who have contributed to the One Chance Foundation:
To EK, my cousin, and to all the great police officers serving this country. Thank you. May God bless you and protect you always. – Love KK
Brenda, Happy Birthday to my best friend! I love you!