The Only Kind She Writes

I know that we live in the digital age. I understand that we can communicate much more quickly with a lot more people via email, social media, etc. than we could just a few years ago.

At the same time, I am just old-fashioned enough to believe that there is something to be said for taking the time and making the effort to actually write a note, card, or letter and put it in the mail. 

There may be some who are reading this who believe I may have another reason to prefer the old-fashioned way. They may think that I get some sort of perverse pleasure from knowing that the recipients of my notes have to try to decipher my handwriting. You see; I’ve been accused of writing in the unknown tongue.

Not long ago, I heard about a note written by one of the ladies where I worship. I was not surprised to hear that the note had been written, since this sister apparently writes a lot of notes to a lot of people. I know that Donna and I have been blessed by more than our share of them. (Her penmanship is flawless, by the way.)

The fact that the note was written and sent was appreciated very much. Something else was also greatly appreciated. The recipient of the note expressed appreciation to me about the message itself. The remark that was made to me had to do with how kind and thoughtful that message was.

My reply to that part of the comment was,

“I’m not surprised. That’s the only kind she writes.”

While the comment was “spur of the moment,” it was also true. My first reaction is still, after much time to reflect, how I view my sister in Christ.

She is one of those people who, in written words, in spoken words, in demeanor, and in other ways I may not be thinking about at this moment is such an encourager. She is one of those people who seems to light up a room when she walks in. She is one who brings a smile to your face when you happen to think about her.

She is not one of those people who seems to be skating through life without any worries, heartaches, or problems. Like all of us, she has had her share of all of them. Unlike some of us, she has had more than what might be considered her share of some of them.

I’m thinking that there may be another way in which this good sister is unlike some of us (including, unfortunately, me at times). I’m thinking that she has made a conscious decision to not dwell on the negative and/or unfortunate things. I’m thinking that she has chosen something that is even better than what some would call “positive thinking.”

What I’m thinking is that she has chosen to put others ahead of herself. She demonstrates that in so many ways.

It seems to me that our sister has read and applied these words:

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4).

I’m wondering what people think of when they think of me. Do they think of somebody who brightens a room when I enter it or when I leave it? Do they dread to communicate with me or do they look forward to it?  Do people smile when they think of me or do they frown?

In short, am I (as the Lord said His true followers are) the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13, 14)?

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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn