“How natural it is that I should feel as I do about you,
for you have a very special place in my heart.
We have shared together the promises of God,
both when I was in prison and when I was out,
defending the truth and telling others about Christ.”
{Philippians 1:7}
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As I read Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, I am reminded of the importance of letters — especially letters of encouragement.
Letters bridge time and space. No matter how long it’s been. Or how far apart we may be. A simple letter with a few words of encouragement can lift a friend’s spirit and brighten a friend’s countenance.
A letter can bridge two souls who long to be together again.
That is what God’s Word is to us. The Bible is God’s Letter to us. It’s His invitation to rejoin Him for eternity.
Through countless stories in the Bible, we learn of His Grace. Time and again, God rescued and redeemed the lost and the lonely.
Paul, the man who once hurled hatred toward believers, became a new man when he met Christ. His heart forever changed, from stone to flesh. Forgiven and restored.
So Paul began a new journey of faith to share the promises of God wherever he went. From city to city, Paul shared the gospel. And lives were changed. Then, every so often, Paul would write a letter to his friends, encouraging them to continue in the faith. For Jesus alone is the Way to life.
Today we can follow Paul’s example. We can write a few words of encouragement to a friend.
Here.
Today.
This moment.
Let’s share hope with those who are weighed with a heaviness of heart. Let’s share the promises of God with neighbors and friends and strangers.
Above all, let’s give praise to the One who bore our sin and built a bridge of grace.
What beautiful words of encouragement! Sometimes I do think that we’ve lost the art of letter writing which is sad. There is just something about getting a card or note in the “snail mail” that touches us like none other. It’s tangible…you can touch it, hold it, even tuck it away to pull out and look at again and again. Thanks for the urging, this morning, to share encouragement with others.
Blessings,
Bev
AMEN!
Eloquent words of encouragement. This fast paced society has forgotten the practice of writing letters and isn’t pushing it on the younger generation. I love receiving encouragement. Thus I constantly send out cards to wish you well, tell you I’m thinking of you, whatever!! I know it will brighten your day. I just wish the younger generation would follow suit!!
Blessings 🙂
Beautiful!! And sooo true!
Thanks,
Camille
for those of you who might need to remember that God’s grace is there with you i pray that today you will be given a sign the i love you and that God loves you bigger.
I agree with Bev. I have saved letters going back many years and from time to time I get them out of my bedside drawer and read them. I am blessed every time. It doesn’t matter how long ago the letter was written, it comes alive again. Thanks for the encouragement. I have written a letter to a dear friend from my single days and sadly have lost her address since I wrote it. ” Lord, Please help me to find that address and get it away in the mail today.”
Amen! One of the things I love about my church is that members are very free with sending one another notes of encouragement, get well wishes and the like. It’s a warmth that helps me understand better why we refer to our “church family,” and I cherish it.
Notes of the heart, one to another, are priceless. One has taken time – stop, sit & pen a soul/heart-to heart message. Text/Facebook post/e-mail appreciated but are quick & convenient. A hand written note is spirit & soul on paper. Write one today.