1 John 1:4: We write this to make our joy complete.

Gratitude Day 932

Never underestimate the power of a handwritten note.

Seriously. If you want someone to feel special? Send them a handwritten card, note or letter. And you will make their day.

One showed up in my mailbox this week. Yep, it made me feel special.

I also had a conversation with a friend. She struggles with making time to write thank you notes but took time to do so this week. She hand delivered them with a little flower. Amazingly, this accomplishment made HER feel great! Just imagine how the receivers felt!

Yes, handwritten notes may feel outdated. Something of a relic. What “old” people do. (Guess this makes me officially old!) I get it. Text messages are quicker. But less personal, in my opinion. Yes, they are better than nothing … but …

Maybe I’m old fashioned. My mom taught me to write thank-you notes. And so, I do. I have. I always will. To me, a few lines jotted on a card say that something someone else did was so important that I can take a few minutes and share this with them. Whether they appreciate the note or not, sharing my thoughts is important. It helps me remember what is important to me.

It’s these little, daily or weekly or monthly things that keep me rooted in what really is most important to me, even when things around me feel out-of-whack. It’s a practice that takes me back to who I am at the core of my being. These little bits of writing affirm for me something I hold dear to my heart.

As believers, we actually have precedence for writing down our thoughts. In the New Testament, we find a whole bunch of letters. Letters written by Paul, a man who became a follower of Jesus after Jesus’ resurrection. Paul wanted to encourage early Christian believer communities and used letter to share with them. Sometimes, Paul answered questions he had received from the community. Other times, he wrote a personal note specifically to someone. When Paul wrote those letters, I don’t anticipate he thought we’d be reviewing his letters nearly 2,000 years later. And yet, we are. We use his letters are guidance and inspiration for how to live as believers of God and Jesus. We anticipate Paul’s words were inspired by God and look for clues about how God would encourage us to make choices. Yet, let us not forget they were also letters.

When I need a little pick-me-up, I pick up a stack of notes and letters that were sent to me and I read them. Maybe it’s vain, but those words speak to me. They encourage me. They remind me that hopefully God works through me for the benefit of God’s kingdom. Sometimes, I don’t always know when this happens. Those little notes help me see when God orchestrates something beyond my ability in a wonderful and meaningful way.

Words matter. What we say and write matters. As powerful as our words can be, they can also be just as hurtful and damaging when we use words in a way that doesn’t reflect God and God’s love. When we speak and write, I pray that we will keep in mind that the person(s) who read these words are also beloved children of God. God loves them and accepts them even when we feel terribly challenged by them. When we write something on social media or in a letter to the editor or for someone else to read, may me keep in mind that those who read those words are loved just as much by God as we are. Period.

Sharing our words with others can make their joy complete. I pray that we see sharing our words with others makes all the difference. And are a way that we can encourage and support those around us. Make your words count. Write from the heart in a way that reflects who you are as a believer of God. You just never know how impactful your words can be to someone else.

For the opportunity to encourage someone with my words, I am thankful.

Blessings –
Dianne

Loving God – Thank you for all the words that You have shared with me that encourage and support me. May they be an example and a witness that sharing positive words with someone else is certainly important and a priority. Place on my heart someone that I can share a note, a card, a word of encouragement with today. Amen.

Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook and Instagram (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith.)

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