Dear Friends,
Last night my eight-year
granddaughter Reece, proudly walked into my room and handed me an envelope
addressed, “Poppy.”
I quickly opened it up,
and as I read her words, I thought to myself this is one of the most memorable
letters l have ever received.
It was a thank you note
for a Christmas gift I had given her. She concluded her comments with
these words. “Your card to me was very thoughtful and pleasant, as it is
every year. I love you and am so glad you live with us, especially on the
holidays. I feel bad I did not get you a gift, but I hope it’s OK. I love you
so much!”
The gift she thought she
never gave me was hidden from her, written on a note card and tucked inside
that purple envelope which screamed out, "Poppy, I love
you."
My daughter Rachel has
taught her well.
There are few things more
valuable today than handwritten notes, and few know this better than I do.
Over the years I have
received hundreds of handwritten notes. Brimming with love and saturated with
thoughtfulness, they are personally tucked away inside an old Bible which
doubles as my treasured encouragement storehouse.
Before neuropathy set in a
few years ago, I made it a point to write at least five personal notes a day.
However, today those crippled fingers have to punch out my thoughts on a
computer keyboard, and while I know those words are not quite the
same as those found on a handwritten note, they remain my next best attempt at
sharing my love.
Oswald Sanders in his
classic book Spiritual Leadership, states, "writing letters
is one of the most essential qualities of a leader.”
He also points out Paul’s
handwritten letters “were filled with encouragement, were gracious in
compliment and rich in sympathy. Those who received them were always enriched
(See Philippians 1:27-30).”
Sanders goes on to add
that letter writing formed a big part in the follow up program of the great
evangelist George Whitefield who after preaching to large crowds, would work
late into the night writing letters of encouragement to new converts.
Is there someone you know
whose spirit would be bolstered by some expression of your love or
encouragement? You don’t have to express your thoughts on some fancy
store bought card - just a plain piece of notepaper and a few lines of your
love scribbled in your unique handwriting will do just fine.
And don’t forget while
letters cannot smile, they can speak. They can shout love, breathe
encouragement, and convey care.
So why not grab a pen and
some paper and in the words of Nike's trademark logo, "Just do it."
Yours in faith and
friendship,
Tom
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