Fri., Apr. 20, 2018

2 Corinthians 13:11 – I close my letter with these last words: Be happy. Grow in Christ. Pay attention to what I have said. Live in harmony and peace. And may the God of love and peace be with you.

It’s time to deal with the boxes.

Several years ago, we moved my Mom from a house into an apartment. There were several boxes of “things” we did not take time to go through. Filled with papers, photos, historical things. I brought the boxes home and promised myself to go through them.

A couple years later, my Mom moved to a nursing home. A few more boxes joined their friends at my house. In-between, we moved.

These boxes are nearing frequent moving status.

There are at least a15 of these boxes at my house. Nearby, I have a few boxes with my own stuff. Rick reminds me that the next time we move, any of these boxes not gone through are going in the garbage.

I have gone through some boxes. The stack has lowered slightly. Before Christmas, I do a quick pass through to find super cool things for our Deaton family gift exchange. Last week, I tackled the boxes for a few hours. It became overwhelming and I usually am not easy overwhelmed.

We started remodeling the future master bedroom suite of our house. The boxes aren’t in the remodeling area but close by. Rick has not-so-gently told me it is time for the boxes to either be gone through or disappear.

I set up a separate area to start going through the boxes. I have a strategy and method now. While I made it through several boxes today, more remain.

What did I find? Lots cards, pictures, family mementos and historical items. There are multiple generations represented with boxes from both grandmothers. I am separating cool items for future Deaton Christmas gift exchanges.

The number of cards is borderline crazy. Many cards have a hand-written letter with them. While I haven’t read all the letters, I am grateful for them. The art of hand-writing letters is disappearing. We send an e-mail, text message or post on social media. When was the last time you wrote a letter? I try to write a few words in a card. This is not the same as writing a letter on a nice piece of stationary. Beautiful handwriting can almost look like art.

These letters remind me that words have meaning. A written letter says, “I care for you and I am making time to speak just to you.” I won’t read EVERY word of these letters. It’s impossible. I have appreciated reading a sentence or two from a letter.

The New Testament contains several letters. We attribute Paul as the author of many. Some letters were written in response to a letter he received. The challenge with this then we only get half of the conversation. I consider his letters very important and influential in the Christian faith. I often use Paul’s words in my life and teaching. I don’t think Paul ever intended for people to be reading his letters 2,000 years later.

I pray we do not lose the art of letter writing. The power of words amazes me. The love we extend to another person as we write special words to someone we care for is powerful. For this, I am grateful.

Letters aren’t new. They have been used for thousands of years. Yet, each one of us can rediscover the power of a written letter.  Encourage us to write a letter today. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne

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