I read her post, the one where she says writing cards changes lives. Is that dramatic, I wonder? To think a card could really do that?
I recall an earlier time, a time when my thought life sped downhill like a runaway train. I looked at friends who seemingly handled everything infinitely better and wondered why I couldn’t measure up as daughter, wife, mama. When the time came for a few of these friends and I to take a trip together, I thought about sitting out. Sure, I needed the rest a girlfriend’s weekend would provide. But with this cyclone of insecurity spinning fast, I didn’t think my confidence could take another hit.
I confessed my fears through tears to Jen, a true blue confidante. I don’t remember one thing she said to me on the phone that day, but I know what she wrote me in a card soon after:
“I want to encourage you to read and memorize a powerful life verse: 2 Corinthians 10:5. Then I want you to do it through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our struggles with whispers from the Accuser are very similar, for me they can stretch into every area of my life. If I do not filter my thoughts through God’s word and take my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, I become quite paralyzed. When I am faithful in this discipline, I see everything much more clearly and I see my value not overly or underly, but reality.”
Not only did she encourage through I’ve-been-there support, but she pointed me to the Void Filler, Cyclone Calmer, and Perspective Giver. With my eyes on Jesus, I see my reality with accuracy. And this message is life changing.
I attended that girlfriend’s weekend and had a gloriously good time.
Sure, I can receive and write this kind of encouragement via emails, facebook messages, or blog posts. And those things are beautiful. But I’ve re-read that taped-up card and other encouraging, special-to-me cards over and over. There’s something about holding life giving words in my hands that moves them into my heart. And if God chose the written word as a means for communicating His love to us, there is power in writing words beyond what we even imagine.
A changed life starts with a defining moment. I wonder how God can use me to be that defining moment to a special person in my circle of influence?
So I return the favor and take a moment to give words wings by sending my Jen a moment of real encouragement in a card. I won’t stress about making the words deep or profound. It’s not how I write, but that I took the time to write in the first place.
It’s not dramatic to believe writing cards changes lives. It’s cathartic to know God uses us to change lives. He uses us to bring moments to life, to give life through encouragement.
Can you recall a moment when someone sent you life giving words through a card? Do you keep them and re-read them like I do? Did one in particular change your life like Jen’s card did for me?
If you have written a blog post about who you sent a card to, why card writing matters, or whatever is on your heart about the topic, please link it below! If you have written a review in part of (in)spired deals, you can also link up your review post here. Also, we will be drawing the names of FIVE winners from the link-ups to receive a card organizer and a card pack of your choice!
Kristen Strong, Chasing Blue Skies
ABOUT KRISTEN STRONG
Kristen is an Air Force wife, enthusiastic mama and freelance writer. She is a joy hunter-downer who writes of looking upward for fresh-air encouragement at Chasing Blue Skies. Originally an Oklahoma...
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http://krishill10.blogspot.com/2012/01/inspired.html
I got my card pack a few days ago and was SOOOOO excited! I immediately sent out 2 for ppl in my life who are in the midst of great storms! I know how encouraging it is to receive a ‘written’ word and I pray that God uses these cards in the lives of others! Here are some verses I consistently include:
Is 26:3
Phil 4:8
Ps 18:1-2
Ps 91:1-2
2 Timothy 1:7
Great list of encouraging verses, Karen. Thank you for referencing them for us here!
I think as women we have to decide NOT to measure our days by our performance. If God doesn’t do that, then why do we? And why do we compare ourselves to what we assume others are doing? And assume they all do it better than we do?
That is why the idea of sending cards of encouragement is such a great idea. When I am feeling down, I many be tempted to think I am the only one who feels that way. But in reality our enemy is not that creative. He uses the same tactics on us all. Thanks for the idea. I think I will go write a card and encourage someone…and at the same time remind myself of God’s truth! It is like a two for one deal!
Blessings~ Susan
http://whatevermylord.blogspot.com/2011/02/fighting-for-joy.html
Very well said, Susan. And it *is* like a two for one deal!
What a great blessing to read this blog about letter writing. The art of writing a letter has seemed to slowly pass away so when i recieve a hand written letter from a friend i treasure it. To mean it is a treasured gift of time. Last year i had inadvertently forgotten Bernice from our Christmas card list. She was a secretary for my husband when we lived in DC 20 years ago. Bernice was so upset in not receiving our card she called me. I was so touched that it meant so much to her year after year to see the children grow and know that she still mattered to us. God shows us to to bless others in so many unexpected ways.
“a letter…is a treasured gift of time.” That’s perfect, Katie. And you’re right: letter writing is a beautiful, unexpected way to bless others. What a gift you are!
I taught pre-school for 13 years–I always sent my little ones cards in the mail and I would say–one day you will grow up and please remember to always sent your parents mail!! There is nothing as wonderful as a hug or getting mail!!! Thank you!!! Blessings, Barb
Love that, Barb! Blessings to you too, friend.
I have already made plans to mail Valentines to my girlfriends. Now I am encouraged to send at least one card a month this year.
Ooo, Valentines to your girlfriends ~ that’s a great idea, Melanie!
I went to a seminar on breaking spiritual strongholds. The girl who prayed with me later handed me a card at the end of the conference. I thought it was going to be a “thanks for coming” card. When I opened the card up, it completely blew me away! This is what it said:
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Ps 147:3
*You are Beautiful!
Carol, I pray that the Lord sweeps you away in His love…so much that nothing else matters. That His love overwhelms & consumes you. There are mornings I wake up with tears rolling down my face b/c of His love & His warm embrace, with peace that overflows. May He do the same for you. That His grace covers you. His love cover you. That you may come to TRULY know His great love for you! That you are His beloved, you’re His bride. He sings over you and that is His delight. May He beckon & call you to come away with him. He says – Come away with me my love. Under my mercy come & wait, until we are standing face to face. I see no stain on you my child. You’re beautiful to me, so beautiful to me. I sing over you my song of peace, just cast all your cares down at my feet. Come and find your rest in me. I’ll breathe my life inside of you, I’ll bear you up on eagle’s wing. I’ll hid you in the shadow of my strength. I’ll take you to my quiet waters, I’ll restore your soul. Come rest in me & be made whole. God your Father loves you – oh so much. Continue to walk in His love, freedom & healing. God Bless You – Mimi Lilly
SEE WHAT I MEAN?
OH my word, Carol. What a gift for you ~ beautiful truth for you to hold in your hands and take to heart. *That* is why I love card writing!!
I apologize for linking up twice…I didn’t think the first one worked w/ the image I chose to link with. Sorry :)
Also..I received my card pack on Friday. It was such a nice surprise to come home to after a long work week!! Thank you!
Wahoo for happy mail! :)
beautiful!! thank you for sharing! With my children we are trying to incorporate more of this into our everyday. To not forget the “lost art” of sending someone a simple card of encouragement, I’m praying for you, thinking of you today. :) Positive words over negative mindsets!!
Thank you, Sarah! And yes ~ what an extraordinary thing it is to be able to pass this art down to our kids. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
I am so bad at sending encourgament cards out lately! I do love the idea and I am going to make this one of my goals for the year! I thank you for the blessing of reminding me to do this and take it on again. I know how thought of I feel when I get a card or a note. Thanks again!
i love sending cards, i make almost all. I hear how the words encourage and how they reread. But i don’t get alot at all hardly ever. My husband does give me cards.
I love sending a handwritten card or letter. It means so much more than an email, that often gets lost in the shuffle and deleted. I hope the art of letter writing is not getting lost. They do not even teach cursive writing in school any more! I encourage parents to teach their little ones this fine art at home. I am a teacher of Braille for blind students, in a mainstream classroom.
Bless you for all your posts!
Lisa
I have felt the tug of God on my heart several times at work. I know it’s Him telling me to send/give that person a word of encourgement during their trials. Done it several times.
Have received wondrful beautiful cards & keep them. They remind me of the people who gave them to me–that they thought enough of me to go buy a card, write something & send/ give it to me.
I just found my cousin passed away last night after a long battle with cancer. I hadn’t seen, talked to, or communicated with her in years – I wasn’t even supposed to know she was sick. Their family had all but separated themselves from the rest of us. But last week God laid her heavy on my heart and I sent her a card telling her I was praying for her. I doubt that note was life changing for her – maybe it was – but it just further reminds me that when God places someone on my heart to get out a pen and write a note.
http://ajoyrenewed.blogspot.com/2012/01/old-fashioned-communication-day-spring.html
I love sending cards – perhaps even more than receiving them — because I enjoy trying to encourage others.
Oh. My. Goodness. Love, love, LOVE my card pack that I got from DaySpring (and ALL the other cards I’ve bought from them!).
What a wonderful post! This is my first time on your blog and I would love to come back. Words truly do come alive when we write them down… what’s in our heads has the chance to come out and breathe into our lives! Thanks!
Here’s a blog post I wrote about a card I got once that ministered to me so greatly. I love sending cards and receiving them. Such a joy!
http://jodymccomas.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/the-card/
Just wanted to let you know that I have been an avid giver of writing cards for the past few years. I know that without doubt I have blessed many people and it makes me feel good to know that. I always chat with the Lord and say who needs me to bless them with a word of encouragement and I follow the lead. It has blessed me to do this !!
I received my card packs and have already mailed out a few of them. Sending words of love and encouragement to the people I care about is the biggest blessing… knowing that I’ve lifted someone up or made their day just a little sweeter with some simple thing I’ve done out of love.
I received my card packs and have organized all my cards. Will send encouragment cards soon to friends who matter & need some uplifting words!
i loved the chance to review the cards from dayspring! they have such creative stuff and i’m excited at finding opportunities to give the cards away!
Love my cards – praying they are blessings to others.
http://positivelyalene.blogspot.com/2012/01/it-was-almost-like-christmas-and-give.html
To this day, I have a letter my father sent me while I was in highschool. The first line was something to the effect of, “I love you because you are my kid.”
Nothing else was needed, no performance necessary, I am his daughter and that’s all that mattered.
Sorry I am so behind in posting my review & giveaway. Just did it this afternoon http://teampipkin.blogspot.com/2012/02/encouraging-one-another-giveaway.html
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