Love Letters

“Love Letters” 1 John 4:7-16, 19 So….when was the last time you either wrote OR received a letter? (both?) Now, I’m not talking about an invitation or thank-you card. Not an announcement. Not a birthday card, etc. I’m talking here a letter. A real, old-fashioned type of letter. You know, addressed to you. With a stamp! Delivered by the mailman and placed in the mailbox and not delivered via phone text, email or app of some sort. Chances are…it’s been a while. And with good reason. Advancements in technology have made it quite simple and convenient for us to stay on the couch to fetch our mail. Why, one can just speak or dictate into a phone or computer, press the “send” button, and off goes your message! My phone (as I’m sure does yours…) has a neat little “swooshing” sound as the mail or message is sent. Within seconds someone on the receiving end has your mail. They may even be alerted with a “ding” or catchy little “you’ve got mail” sound or song. Yes, technology is magnificent (most of the time, anyway). Innovative and always changing to keep pace with busy people leading busy lives. Alas, we know though that something has been lost along the way, don’t we? Our communication skills seem to be faltering and fading. Communicating verbally and in writing seems to have taken a backseat to typing and such. For one to sit and compose a letter would require a couple of things. Sitting. Stopping multitasking. Tuning out the distractions that surround us. Writing typically requires less noise. Silence even. Furthermore, once one is able to compile thoughts and feelings, they then must expend some energy in actually writing it out. Shockingly, the younger generation may not know how to write in cursive (not that it HAS to be in cursive-just a thought here…). Oh, here is something alarming…I read an interesting article stating that many high school students do not know how to properly address an envelope and, worse yet, which corner to place the stamp! I was shocked! Another reason some may choose to send letters via computer, phone, etc., would be the cost of that stamp! Now at 63 cents! Ouch! Ok. A few minutes ago I asked how many had recently written or received a letter. I’m going to add ONE word to the same question. Game changer here (and the fellas are going to squirm a bit!). Here it goes… “When was the last time you either wrote, or received, a …..LOVE letter. Yes, a love letter. If you rolled your eyes, you are not alone. I mean, does anyone really write these anymore? Back in the day love letters were common. Some of you may still have the very first love letter you received. I’ve written a few in my day. Now, I’ve not received as many as I’ve sent, for it seems gals are more apt to compose and send one. We even add special touches. You know, we draw little hearts, flowers and smiley faces all over everything. Oh, and remember the S.W.A.K. “Sealed with a kiss?” Guys, this is where we girls slather on lipstick or sticky lip gloss and then kiss the paper and the envelope. Then we had to air dry it so it didn’t smudge! True story. I know a couple that writes letters to each other at Christmas in lieu of buying things they really don’t need or want. They place their letters either under or in the tree, and they are just as excited to open and read each other’s letters as they would be unwrapping beautifully wrapped gifts. For these letters are gifts from the heart and wrapped in the heartstrings of love and appreciation. Perhaps they are a summary of the past year’s events. Tears and fears. Ups and downs. Joys and happiness. Their journey together. Memories made. Maybe these letters just express their deep love for each other. Whatever they may say, one thing is for certain. They each took time to write out their thoughts and emotions. What about the rest of us? Think about it for just a moment. If we were asked to express our deep love, gratitude and appreciation for someone on paper, would we do it? COULD we do it? How does one put everything they feel into words without leaving something out? How does one write so eloquently and from the heart? More importantly, in composing a love letter, how does one write with conviction? So the reader feels the love. Believes they are loved beyond anything else. Words that leave no room for doubt. A letter that leaves one wanting to read more. Over and over. Daily. A letter leaving one feeling refreshed, renewed and full of hope. Many will say such a letter doesn’t exist. Or, that perhaps they’ve never received such a letter. Aahhhh, but they have. We ALL possess a love letter like no other. Evangelist Billy Graham once stated, and I quote, “The Bible is God’s love letter to us.” The Bible. We tend to think of it as a book containing many stories. And it is. It’s the instruction manual. Our GPS in this journey. A book of hope and healing. It makes us cry. Makes us laugh at times. The source of much controversy but still the best seller worldwide. Our Bibles get dusty at times, don’t they? Then we pick it up and start reading again and wonder why in the world we ever stopped reading? How can we not find time to read such a book? Written by the Creator Himself. To us. For us. The story. However, have we ever thought about the Bible as a “love letter” from God? I had not thought of the Bible in this manner until I recently came across something. The following was compiled (not by myself) from paraphrased Bible verses found throughout the Bible. Psalms, Exodus, Matthew, Genesis, John, James, Zephaniah, to name a few. It is wonderfully written (of course, it was written by God Himself!). Warning…this may just bring a tear to your eye as it did mine. Dear child of Mine, You may not know Me, but I know everything about you (Psalm). I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm). I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm). Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew). For you were made in My image (Genesis 1:27). In Me you live and move and have your being (Acts). For you are My offspring (Acts). I knew you even before you were conceived (Jeremiah). I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians). You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in My book (Psalm). I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm)! I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm) and brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm). I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know Me (1John). I am not distant and angry but am the complete expression of love (1 John), and it is My desire to lavish My love on you (1 John), simply because you are My child and I am your Father (1John). I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew) for I am the perfect Father (Matthew). Every good gift you receive comes from My hand (Matthew) for I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew). My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah), because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah). My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore (Psalm), and I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah). I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah) for you are My treasured possession (Exodus). I desire to establish you with all My heart and My soul (Jeremiah), and I want to show you great and marvelous things (Jeremiah). If you seek Me with all your heart, you will find Me (Deuteronomy). Delight in Me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm), for it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians). I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians) for I am your greatest encourager (2Thessalonians). I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians). When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you (Psalm). As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to My heart (Isaiah). One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes (Revelation), and I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation). I am your Father and I love you, even as I love My Son Jesus (John). For in Jesus, My love for you is revealed (John). He is the exact representation of My being (Hebrews). He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans) and to tell you I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians). Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corintians). His death was the ultimate expression of My love for you (1John). I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans). If you receive the gift of My Son Jesus, you receive ME (1John), and nothing will ever separate you from My love again (Romans). Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party Heaven has ever seen (Luke). I have always been Father and will always be Father (Ephesians). My question is this, will you be My child? (1 John). I am waiting for you (Luke). Love, your Father God. Wow! If this letter left you wanting to read it again, you are not alone. I felt the same and it brought tears to my eyes. God’s love letter to us, for us. Inked and written in the blood of Jesus. Sealed in sacrifice for us. Addressed and sent to the hearts of all who will believe. Waiting to be opened. We are reminded in John 4:19 that we love because HE first loved us. His Word is full of letters from His heart to ours. We are reminded as well that there is nothing that can separate us from His love. (Read prayer from Ephesians 3:1417.) Janet