^“24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

I have a tote where I keep a collection of cards and letters that I have received over the years.  I call my tote my treasure chest.  What joy I have to open the lid, carefully reviewing the notes that I have cherished over the years.

There are notes of congratulations and celebration that were received during times of blessing.  There are also notes of encouragement as people reached out during times of hurt and struggle. Each one is a treasure in my life; a treasure in my heart.

Each one represents a precious gift.  The gift of someones time.  A gift of someone’s treasures.  A gift of someone’s love.  That is what each letter, each card stands for.

I know I don’t have to tell you how fast paced our world is.  I know many believe that they don’t have time to sit down and write a letter.   It’s old fashioned.  It’s inefficient, emails & texts are so much quicker.  But is quicker better?  How much joy does a letter or card bring?

In this hurried world, there is blessing to be found in slowing down.  When I go to the mailbox and see a pile of assorted advertisements and junk mail, I don’t slow down.  When I flip through the stack and find a letter hand addressed to me, then I pause.  I make time to slow down and read it.

Writing to someone can be a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) or a Planned Act of Kindness (PAK).  It all depends on how spontaneous you are and how much effort you put into it.

While you are at the grocery store picking up items you need, wander down the card isle.  Browse for a moment and see if there is anyone you think of while you are there.  Random.

Take a few minutes to jot down a list of people who you would get joy in writing to.  Who are the people who you feel you need to write to.  Then once a week, take twenty minutes during your lunch break to write to one of them.  That’s a planned act of kindness.

When you have written your letter or card, pray over it when you drop it in the mailbox.  Ask God to bless the receiver.  Pray that He would grant it the perfect timing for its arrival.  Not quite so sure about the prayer, here’s one that I often pray.

Dear Lord, thank you for helping me to write this letter.  Please bless _________ (insert name) who is receiving it.  May this little act of kindness be a wonderful blessing in their day.  May it be a multiplier of joy in this day and the days to come.  Amen

  My dear readers, I hope that today your mind is filled with names of people to bless.  I hope someday soon a letter of joy arrives in your mailbox.