Forgiving Paris: A Novel(81)
20 God loves to surprise us. Were you surprised when Eliza’s family was there at her wedding? Tell of a time when God surprised you.
21 A Distant Shore is about learning to live again, finding a second chance at life even when all hope seems lost. Tell of a time when you or someone you know found hope and faith to live again. How did that time inspire you?
YOU WERE SEEN MOVEMENT
His name was Henry, and I will remember him as long as I live.
Henry was our waiter at a fancy restaurant when I was on tour for one of my books. Toward the end of the meal something unusual happened. I started to cry. Slow tears, just trickling down my cheeks. My husband was with me and he looked concerned. “Karen, what’s wrong?”
“Our waiter,” I said. “He needs to know God loves him. But there’s no time. We have to get to our event and he has six other tables to serve.”
Henry was an incredibly attentive server. He smiled and got our order right and he worked hard to do it. Everywhere he went on the restaurant floor, he practically sprinted to get his job done. But when he was just off the floor, when he thought no one was looking, Henry’s smile faded. He looked discouraged and hopeless. Beaten up.
That very day I began dreaming about the “You Were Seen” movement. Many of you are aware of this organization, but I’ll summarize it. Very simply, you get a pack of You Were Seen cards and you hand them out. Where acceptable, tip—generously.
From my office in the past few months more than 250,000 You Were Seen cards have gone out. We partner with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s plan for salvation and other help links.
And so it is really happening! People like you are truly seeing those in their path each day. You are finding purpose by living your life on mission and not overlooking the delivery person and cashier, the banker and business contact, the server and barista, the police officer and teacher, the doctor and nurse. You are letting strangers see God’s love in action. Why?
Because Christians should love better than anyone. We should be more generous. Kinder. More affirming. More patient. The Bible tells us to love God and love others. And to tell others the good news of the gospel—that we have a Father who is for us, not against us. He loves us so much that He made a way for us to get to heaven.
Hand out a pack of You Were Seen cards in the coming weeks and watch how every card given makes you feel a little better. Go to www.YouWereSeen.com to get your cards and start showing gratitude and generosity to everyone you meet.
Always when you leave a You Were 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. Every day should be marked by a miraculous encounter.
www.YouWereSeen.com
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 and widows. 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: One Chance Foundation for A Distant Shore
To all of the NYPD, FDNY, PANY & the DSNY for your bravery on 9/11. We will never forget and will forever remember those lost that day. We heart NY forever! Love, Hope Burke & Kingston Painter
Madeleine a gift from God chosen by Him to fill our home with laughter & love. Happy Birthday, Mommy
Happy Birthday Grandmom! We love you! Love, Ken, MH, Blake, Parker, Janie, Avery, Hallie & Sullivan
Dedicated to all who bear the unseen scars of sexual trauma… you are seen and loved! Sheila & Kurt Holman
LMG, My love forever! LLG
Lundee, Love you Forever, Joe
In loving memory of my husband, William Rolfe, six months without you already. Love is forever, Janie
For my Mom, Jackie Jones! Love, Emily
Blessings to Kathy Conquest, a prayer warrior and my heart-to-heart partner of 19 years!! Love Jan Miller
Blessings to Emmeline, Joe
Happy 60th Mom, Julia Haverlock! Love, Your Family
To My Mom, Irene. Love you! Terry
To my wonderful mom who went halfway around the world for me—I love you like crazy cakes Mom.—Emma
Riley Jaxon, We love you! Gramma Becky & Papa John
Tandy & Pat—2gether 4ever
To my mom, Barbara Matley, who taught me a love of books. Love you forever mom! Pamela Sheldon
Susan, you helped me find my way to the Lord!—Kim