This morning, I looked down at the counter, which is always a mess! (I try to keep it cleaned off, but my attempts just don't seem to meet with much success). There amongst some papers was a notecard. It was addressed to me so I looked at the return address. It wasn't an address I recognized. I curiously opened the envelope and discovered a thank you card. It was filled with sweet, encouraging words from a woman on staff at my son's school. A few weeks ago we got to chatting as I was heading out from my monthly recess duty. She is a delightful woman. Her words spoke of the encouragement I brought to her, but it was her words that brought something wonderful to my heart this morning.
I have sent several cards out to friends and family on my heart this past month. You know what I've realized this morning? I need to do it more!
I know you can like a friend's social media posts, you can text a nice meme or comment on their sweet instagram picture, but even with all the ways to connect - there is still something about a handwritten letter in the mail!
We live in a time saving world with insta-everything. We get more done and yet time is a wonderful gift. When we sit down to write a letter, we have to stop and think about what we say. Sure, we can use white out if we make a mistake, but its harder to do then to delete and re-write on the keyboard. Its that time and effort that
1. still our hearts to think about someone
2. communicates care.
Don't we need more care? Look at our world. Take out all the opinions we fling around like a verbal food fight and look at just the "out of our control" experiences. This week alone, we see:
* fires raging in Gatlinburg,
* a plane crash with a promising Brazilian soccer team all casualties,
* a car/knife attack on the Ohio State campus
those are just the highlights and its only Wednesday!
We need more encouragement. We need to know, we are loved, we are in community and its gonna be okay. We can't look to get those things from our government or even our religious leaders, we need to be a part of the solution and through some encouragement around.
People are going nuts on shopping deals right now, trying to get the latest for their kids or best deals for Christmas gifts so Christmas morning can be magical, and yet sometimes the best gift we can give someone is recognition that they matter.
Challenge: Write a hand-written note each day during the month of December? Can you think of thirty-one people who you could encourage or communicate your heart with?
All you need: Paper, envelopes, pen, addresses and stamps.
Easy!
Don't know how to write a note?
It doesn't have to be long, just start:
Dear ____________________,
I was thinking of you. I wanted you to know FILL IN WITH YOUR FEELINGS OR WHAT YOU APPRECIATE. I am always encouraged by your FILL IN WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL.
Then wish them a Merry Christmas. You may even let them know you are there if the holidays are hard for them because of a lost loved one.
Sincerely,
Your name here
DONE!
Make it your own, but just start. It will get easier as the month goes, but take time to send something that isn't fast. Write out your heart, your thoughts, your thanks or whatever comes to mind.
Let me know if you are gonna do this with me. I'd love to have a team to help spread the love.
What are you waiting for? Get writing, December starts tomorrow!
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