The Gift of Letters
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (1 John 5:13 NIV)
One of the best features of social media is groups. Years ago, I joined a Facebook writing group that formed out of a book launch team. At the beginning of last year, another woman in the group asked if anyone wanted to become pen pals, as in writing letters, putting a stamp on an envelope, and sending them through the postal service. I enjoy getting mail, so I told her I would be up for it.
I cannot begin to share how much I look forward to her letter every month. Especially once Covid hit, and in-person get together with friends became non-existent, her letters were always a highlight of my month.
What started as an online acquaintance blossomed into a friendship as we got to know each other little by little every month. We wrote about our favorite books, what we were working on writing-wise, and how we were handling the pandemic. Once summer came, we shared about our summer vacations and what school would look like in our state.
We now text and Marco Polo weekly (and yes, we still write letters), and we have plans to attend a writing conference in 2022 and room together. A woman who was once only an online acquaintance has become a treasured friend.
Her letters have been a gift to me. In a world where people can hit the like button or a heart, which is considered interaction, receiving a hand-written letter in the mail was a saving grace of 2020. Knowing someone took the time to write to me warmed my heart. It wasn’t a quick click; it was time-intensive and caring. She was sharing her life with me and inquiring about mine.
I have kept her letters, and I plan to reread them. That is the beauty of letters; they don’t go away after twenty-four hours like online stories. I can hold on to them and reread them whenever I want. I don’t need to panic over the notification of “so-and-so added to their stories. See it before it disappears.” Letters don’t have a shelf life.
Oh, how I long some days for the time when letters were the main form of communication. I may be dating myself, but I didn’t own a computer until after college. I remember receiving letters when I was away at school and how much I looked forward to them. They always brightened my day. I used to love sending letters, too. Writing in different colored inks and asking questions to which I couldn’t wait to hear a response.
Letters in the Bible
The Bible is a wonderful example of the gift of letters. The New Testament is filled with letters. Twenty-one of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament are letters, most of which were written by Paul, some even while he was a prisoner in jail. These letters are there for us to read and reread whenever we want. And even within the Scriptures, there are numerous times when the writers mention writing or sending letters.
The letters in the Bible are filled with wisdom and biblical instruction for the Christian life. They provide encouragement for our trials, advice about relationships, forgiveness, salvation, God’s grace, and so much more. Those letters will be a gift to all who read them in the years and decades to come. They do not have a shelf life. They were written to be shared and read by all people throughout all generations.
Dear heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of letters in the Bible, filled with your love, mercy, and grace. Thank you that we can pore over them whenever we need to, and they are able to encourage us and give us wisdom. Lord, help us, too, to be gift-givers in writing letters. Please help us to brighten someone’s day or be an encouragement to someone with our words. Lord, use us to tangibly be a witness to someone who needs to hear from you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you, in turn, read the letter from Laodicea.” (Col. 4:16 NIV)
“I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. (Col. 4:18 NIV)
” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.” (1 Cor. 16:21 NIV)
“I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.” (1 Thess. 5:27 NIV)
Reach for More
When was the last time you sat down and opened one of God’s letters? Or when was the last time you sat down to write a hand-written letter? Take some time to do both. Pick one of the letters in the Bible and read it. Then reread it, so you can grasp more fully what God wants you to glean. After you have been filled, take some time to send a letter to someone. If God has laid anything particular on your heart, share it in your letter, and be an encouragement to those who will read it. Use your fun pens. Let’s fill our hearts and mailboxes with the gift of letters.
is living the full life with her husband, Jeff, four kids, and a dog in Metro Detroit. Heather enjoys reading, writing, coffee-ing, and serving in youth ministry. She was born a Jersey girl and feels most at home on a beach. She is the host of the monthly link-up, Share Four Somethings. You can join Heather on the journey to living the full life at www.heathergerwing.com.
Photograph © Kelly Sikkema, used with permission
