You changed me, and I thank you for that.

It is well with my soul.

I want to say that this post may get lengthy, but I hope it speaks to your soul like it did mine.

Senior year, I received a letter. It was not just any ordinary letter. It was a notebook piece of paper with handwriting I have never seen, and every word I read shook me to the core. I keep it in my bible and reread it often. I have debated for a while whether or not to post (hence the reason I am just now posting over a year later), but I truly believe it could change lives.

Let me first start with this:

Too often I find myself overwhelmed with the every day pressures of life, school, worry, and busy days. My mind feels like it has 100 tabs running at all times, and my to-do list never seems to get done. I catch myself with constant headaches, unbrushed hair, and sleepy eyes.

Although my life may seem like its going smooth to outsiders, it is truthfully one big jumbled mess. I mean who at 19 years old has their life completely together? (Don't answer that, lol!) My heart gets broken and I have bad days. I struggle to understand things; I fall down, but I always get back up. I have to remind myself that I am human.

I have faced a lot of challenging things in my life, most of which no one know about, because I do not enjoy putting my life story on blast. But there is one thing that remains the same with me. I love people. I have a heart for serving others, and I never want a soul to feel mistreated or unimportant by my words or actions. I smile even when I've just had the worst day. There is only one reason for this, and it is because Christ live in me.

So here it is:

I wish I could hug this person and tell them how much Jesus loves them, but maybe I already have. (and if you're reading this, you've changed my life too!)

It is an important reminder that no matter what you are going through, other people are struggling as well. Your actions, words, and kindness truly make a difference. So shine Jesus' light and share His truth.

You could save a soul.

If you can't read the note, this is what it says:

Lori Thomas,
I am not going to tell you who I am, just a girl that no one really notices. You will never really understand what you'ue done for me, but you saved my life. I was really depressed for a long time and you seemed to be the only person who would really talk to me. I want to thank you because you're the reason I am alive. One day I had planned to commit suicide. It was two years ago and I was really down in the dumps. But just a simple hello can literally save someone's life. You also help me still. This year, I feel like I have really changed because I am striving to share a smile every day with some one who might be how I was two years ago. I want to share a simple hello with someone so they too, will think of me as I think of you. Some people would say it is just a coincidence that you shared a smile and a hey with me the exact day that I was tired of being bullied and pushed around. All I want to tell you is don't ever change, because there has to be more people you have helped.
Thank you!
Ps. After rewriting this a few times, this is the letter I thought you should have.

Unsigned