Like the majority of you, I too, have been stuck at home in quarantine for the past two months.  And like most of you, I am bored out of my mind most days. I’ve binge watched just about everything Netflix has to offer from “Too Hot To Handle” to “Outer Banks” to “Tiger King”. And don’t even get me started on Disney+, as I’ve watched so many old TVshows from my childhood and all the Marvel movies in chronological order (yes, I’m a nerd.). But this girl can only watch so much TV before she gets bored and has to venture away from the TV and try to find something else to do.

 As I wandered through my house, searching for something to entertain myself, I came upon my innocently sleeping puppy, Molly. She looked so peaceful, and was actually quiet for the first time in two days, until I ruined it by picking her up and putting her on leash for a much needed walk. As we walked around my neighborhood, I began to notice beautiful arrangements of construction paper cut out hearts filling people’s windows. In these difficult times, a little bit of color and a whole lot of love, is the only way we’re going to make it through this together, which gave me an idea. 

After finishing our walk, I got straight to work on my little project. I gathered up all the construction paper and markers I could find, along with a pair of scissors to cut out my own little hearts. On each heart I wrote: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). After I was finished decorating the hearts, I anonymously put them in the mailboxes of everyone on my street. I know for a fact not everyone in my neighborhood is Christian, but I do believe that these words (Christian or not) made everyone feel a little less alone and a little bit more hopeful just like they did for me because in these tough times we all need more hope.