Mystery Notes
There is a special sort of excitement that comes with opening a hand-addressed envelope fresh from the mailbox.
I don’t know about you, but now that we receive so much of our communication digitally, I always feel extra special when I open the mailbox to find a card or letter from a friend. There is something in knowing that it took extra time and thought on behalf of the sender. Snail mail is really a simple gesture; an act of kindness with a great reward for both the recipient and the sender. It feels good to do nice things for others.
Last year while I was going through all of my surgeries and treatments I received a handful of random cards such as these, from an unknown sender. I have to say that each time I received one of these cards my spirits lifted, and I was once again reminded that I am loved and cared for more deeply than I know. It has been nearly a year now since one of these cards has come my way, but I am still moved by the kindness in this gesture.
To the mystery sender: THANK YOU, from the depths of my soul!
The gift of God’s word is also a sort of mystery note. There is SO much to be learned from the Bible, and each time you read it (even the same passage) you may learn something new. New lessons are revealed to us in the different seasons of our lives, as we mature and grow and gain new experiences. This is me encouraging you to dig a little deeper, or if you have never turned the pages of a Bible and you're looking for a “good book to read,” give it a chance. You will likely be amazed by the truths you will uncover, along with the inspiring messages and promises God has for your life.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
You will absolutely, without a doubt, encounter trouble in this life. There is no way around it. BUT… you can cling to HOPE through God’s word and His many promises that will help carry you through.
I recently started a study by Phil Wickham called, On Our Knees: 40 Days to Living BOLDLY IN PRAYER. The study was written after he penned a song called, Battle Belongs. This song depicts the battles we will encounter in life, and how we can overcome them through faith in God. The battles are really not ours to fight with flesh and blood, but ultimately they are His to fight on our behalf. The HOPE that knowing this brings to my life is what allows me to press on through the trials of life. People oftentimes ask me how I am so strong and positive despite my circumstances. My answer is, it is not me. I do not have that strength on my own.
God gives me strength, and knowing His promises gives me perpetual HOPE.
I desperately want this for you too!!!
If I could take this blog and turn it into a letter that could be mailed to each of you, I would not hesitate. I hope you not only experience the joy that comes in receiving hand-written notes but that you are inspired to write a note to someone you care about. Bring joy to someone’s day. You may never really know the impact it makes on that person, but it will be sweet, and possibly the greatest benefit is how you will feel knowing you made another person’s day.
It looks like it’s time to swing by the post office and buy stamps. :-)
