In our day and age, we have so many advantages. Many because of all of the technological advancements over the past several years. I can be in contact with someone on the other side of the world with the click of a button. I can share in the joy of someone's vacation with a quick comment thanks to social media. I can stay in the loop with members in my church in a few short moments. A click here. A text there. It is a world where we can stay connected so much more easily but in some respects we grow more distant and isolated.
Outside of most of our houses is a very outdated lawn ornament. Perhaps your kids don't even know what this odd dinosaur is. It is called the mailbox. Nowadays it is not used to the extent it once was. In times past it was a main method used for communication. I encourage us to provide mailboxes with a little relief. The mailboxes of your friends, family, church members and volunteers need a change of scenery. Those poor mailboxes are tired of seeing bills, magazines and advertisements from car lots. Let the faithful postal workers be surprised with a sudden influx of handwritten cards they have in their care to deliver.
I know I'm exaggerating a little and being silly, but allow me to remind you of the power of your pen. There is something special about receiving a handwritten note from someone you care about. I know it is easier to yell a quick "Thanks" to members of the church for helping with another project. I know it is faster to send a text message telling your team how awesome they are. We should continue to do these things but every so often, let us remember the art and power of the written word.
Where would we be without the apostle Paul and his pen? It took much time and effort for him to sit slumped over a piece of parchment with his pen in hand passionately inscribing words inspired by God. His impact and effort are still felt by the church all of these years later. It was not good enough for him to simply speak to Timothy and Silas. He inscribed these life changing words for them to read and see over and over again. A constant reminder. Every time they saw these written words it were as if Paul spoke them directly to them once again. You can feel the passion from Paul as you read through 1&2 Timothy.
With us approaching Mother's Day, I am thankful my mom forced me to write thank you notes by hand in cursive to those who got me gifts or helped me in some way. She would check the penmanship making sure it was legible. She would check the content to make sure it was heartfelt. This practice learned from my mom has stuck with me to this day. I have a stack of note cards on my desk at work and at my house almost at all times. I am far from perfect, but I do my best to still send thank you/thinking of you cards to those in my life. It brings me such pleasure to visit the home of a friend or church member and see one of my cards proudly displayed months and sometimes years later.
There is power in your pen. Just like the words you say are powerful. The words you write can be powerful. God can use you to write an encouraging word that will help build faith and confidence in those that God has placed in your life. I still have a note card one of my youth leaders mailed me over 15 years ago. I still smile when I look at it all these years later. I also have a stack of thank you cards the kids ministry team and children of the church wrote me several years ago. The words still move me to the brink of tears although penned so long ago. That youth leader could have "said" those words to me and they would have made me feel good for about 2 seconds, but those written words still encourage my spirit all these years later. The kids ministry team could have yelled, "We love you!" It would have felt nice for a moment, but they took the time and wrote some words that continue to edify me to this day.
I encourage you to implement note writing into your life and ministry. This simple task can be such an encouragement and blessing to those you care for and work with. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when writing notes:
Be consistent. Pick a particular day of the week or month to write your notes. We all have the best of intentions, but we get busy and can soon forget the important tasks with the urgency of life. One thing I do the week before a vacation or time I will be out of town for an extended period of time is write notes. I choose several people in the ministries I work in. I drop them in the mail right before leaving town. This way my impact is still felt in their lives even when I'm not physically there. Also make sure to have a surplus of note cards and stamps on hand. Keep them on your desk or another visible place to serve as a reminder.
Be specific. Do your best to think of something specific to share with each person you are writing a note to. What is something specific that this person has done to bless you, your family or ministry? Recall a specific instance or event where their presence and skills were a blessing to you and the others they serve with.
Be genuine. Use an inside joke or recall something special or funny that happened when the two of you were together. Do more than say, "Thanks for everything." Make each note personal. Let them know by the words you use that this is not generic note being sent to the masses. This note was intended for them and them alone. Communicate your feelings for them. You don't have to draw hearts all over the paper and be overly sappy, but just let it come through your writing that you care for them. Genuinely compliment their strengths and build this person up. Make it your goal to encourage and lift the recipient of each note.
This simple act will be a blessing to every person you send a note to, but will also bless you. You can feel a sense of purpose with each note you send. If you are feeling unappreciated, begging to write others appreciating them and watch as you begin to feel better about yourself. It's a small way to make a big difference!
