Simple is Better: The Joy of a Card
In my office, I keep a container that I fill with cards.
Cards people have sent me. Thank you cards. Appreciation cards. Cards with personal updates. Holiday cards. Birthday cards.
When I need a little pick-me-up, I go through a few cards in this container. I read the handwritten notes and appreciate the person who wrote them. How they took the time to send me this card. I pray over the card and give thanks for the way this person’s words speak to me.
It’s always a beautiful and meaningful moment.
Then, I put the container back on the shelf where it waits until not too far into the future; I pull a few cards out and read them again.
It’s a practice that never grows old.
A few months ago, I read (actually, listened to an audible version of ) this beautifully written book, The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Word on the street was that this was a great book to read. I wanted to find out for myself if the hype was real.
I think it is.
The book is a conversation of correspondence between various people. It’s a collection of letters and emails that takes you on a journey through various people’s lives, most notably the main character, Sybil. Many of the pieces of correspondence are written by Sybil. Others are correspondence she receives. Together, they are puzzle pieces of words sent out into the world and now come back as preserved information. Sometimes, we may only read one side of the conversation, which serves as a stark reminder that our point of view is only one side of the story.
I am reminded of this as I read the letters found in the New Testament. The letters written to early Christian churches that we read are Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. A bunch of letters written to individual people such as Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These letters were written to a specific community or person. We only get one side of the conversation. Often, I wonder if the people who wrote these letters would have ever imagined that some 2,000 years later, we’d be reading, dissecting, and trying to understand specific nuances that they wrote about in these letters. I think not.
Upon finishing the book, I thought of the various forms of correspondence I have sent. More importantly, what I have received. I have saved cards and letters from my grandmothers, Mom, and other important people. Not all but a few. I wanted to preserve their handwriting, their words, and their importance in my life. After reading The Correspondent, I was even more glad I had saved them. Now, I see them as part of the puzzle pieces of my life. A way that I can preserve a tiny bit of history, whether meaningful to anyone else or not.
The book has also challenged me to take the art of sending other people correspondence more seriously. To send notes and cards to people I want to say something to. To share my words and thoughts with them before I no longer have the opportunity to do so.
To say that I’ve been religious about keeping up this practice would be a lie. But I am trying to handwrite a few pieces of correspondence a week. With an actual pen. On a card, whether beautiful or not, just because.
Then, I heard this little bit of news about these Sunday card writing clubs that have formed. These are people who get together on Sundays (I’m not sure how often) and write cards to people. The basic concept is that the art of writing cards is slipping away. People in these groups want to revive it and preserve the importance of writing meaningful words to someone else.
I get it. Not everyone is a card or a letter writer. This is one reason the number of cards and letters being sent has dramatically declined. Of course, there are other reasons such as cost, lack of time, and what would I say?
Here’s my challenge. Become a letter writer. A card sender. Most often, the ones I send are a thank you or congratulations. Do this or just send a card or letter. We are raising generations of young people who have never experienced the very real joy of opening up an envelope addressed specifically to them. Take the time. Send young people a letter or card. You might be amazed at the response you get!
Yet even in these one-sided conversations, we are preserving bits of history and thought and life as we know it. Whether your letters are ever read or not, they carry with them information. Knowledge. Sharing. Someday, someone may find them interesting. Or you’ll recall a special person as you re-read correspondence written to you. My guess is that the letter or card may bring you joy. Even if the words of the letter are difficult, seeing the person’s handwriting will be special. You may experience joy. And this, my friends, is worth a thousand words.
Blessings –
Dianne
Dear God – Thank you for the letters in scripture we have to read. Thank you for inspiring various people to send me correspondence. Encourage me and to whom I can reach out. Amen.
Sometimes, a few thoughtful words can make a meaningful difference. A card can offer encouragement, show someone you care, and remind them they are not alone.
My Grief Is Real Cards collection features 24 unique cards with meaningful messages and beautiful artwork inspired by grief, healing, faith, and hope.
Keep them nearby to encourage someone through a difficult season or share a gentle reminder that healing takes time and God's presence remains with us.
Share comfort and hope with the Grief Is Real Cards.
Comments