Dear Friends,
Yesterday I came across a book on my bookshelves that had been given
to me by a pastor named Sam Tatem. The title of the book was The Voice
from the Cross by Andrew Blackwood, but what really caught my attention was
what was written on the inside cover of the book.
On the first blank page of the book I read, “To my most devoted
Christian friend whom I admire because of the grace of God. You are an
exceedingly precious instrument of His Grace. To Tommy, Sam Tatem, March 7,
1967." It was 54 years since I had picked up the book, and I was surprised
to read his note that I had long ago forgotten.
I never met my friend Sam, but we knew each other through the
postman. The first letter I received from Sam was while I was a junior at
Washington and Lee University where I headed our Fellowship of Christian
Athlete ministry. I had taken some of our F.C.A. members to visit a nearby
nursing home in the area, and a local newspaper had written up the story
of our visit, and somehow the story got picked up by a paper a few hundred
miles away in Newport News, Va.
Sam was in his 70’s, and still pastoring a Baptist church when he
saw the article and he took the time to write a note of appreciation,
encouraging me in our ministry.
For the next three years Sam and I corresponded through the mail,
and each letter from Sam was always an expression of encouragement. We may have
talked once or twice on the phone- I honestly don’t remember- but we always
stayed in touch through the mail. Just before I was to graduate, Sam encouraged
me to think about the ministry, and he encouraged me to consider enrolling in
seminary. While I had considered seminary my senior year, I had already made
plans to attend graduate school to secure a master’s in physical education, and
I was now only two month from graduation.
To make a long story short, Sam continued to exhort me to explore
seminary and shortly before graduation, I wrote and told him I had heeded his
advice and would be starting seminary in the fall of 1965.
My letter writing friend was pleased to hear the news, and we
continued to correspond while I was in Seminary. The book he sent me was one of
the last pieces of mail I received from him because the Lord called him home
shortly after the arrival of the book. While I never met Sam personally, our
friendship grew as a result of our letter writing. Those three years’ worth of
letters left an indelible spiritual imprint on my life.
I share this story because I believe it was Sam’s letters and
prayers that God used to touch my heart and encouraged me to consider the
ministry.
Don’t ever underestimate the power of the pen to make a difference
in someone’s life. The written word is a powerful instrument to convey love and
encouragement and through the years I have tried to make it an important part
of my ministry.
Chuck Swindoll says it far better than I ever could in his
devotional book, Day by Day. He writes “there is nothing quite like the
charm and personal touch conveyed by a handwritten note. Since our penmanship,
like our fingerprint, is altogether unique, each curve of the letter or
stroke of the pen bears its own originality. There is personality and warmth
and, yes, special effort too; for, after all, it’s much more efficient to click
on the PC, bang out a few lines on the keyboard, and print it. But
occasionally, it’s nice to think some still care enough to throw efficiency to
the winds and look you right in the eye with the harmonious movement of their
thoughts and fingers.” He concludes his devotional thought with these
words, “Let’s not allow the speed and efficiency of our high-tech society to
crowd out the personal touch. The meaning and expression your fingers add to
your words is worth all the effort, regardless of how poor your penmanship may
be.”
So, let me encourage you to take some time this weekend to send a
'love letter' to someone whose life might be encouraged, even changed, like
mine, because you took a pen in hand and let them know you cared.
Have a great weekend,
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