The Power Of A Note

The Power of a Note

In the age of 140 characters, Facebook shout-outs, and e-mail communication, the handwritten note seems to be a thing of the past. Yet studies show that many young people are longing for a handwritten note because it would mean someone had taken the time to actually write his or her thoughts out and put them on paper.

As I write this, I look to the right and left of my computer station and see handwritten notes and cards that people graciously penned and sent to me. Some of the handwriting is from my little girl, Carson, whom I know won’t be little for long. Her handwriting is in crayon, along with cute pictures and the words, “I love you, Daddy.”

Then there is the card from a congregant who thanked me for the Easter message. To the right of that is a thank-you note from a father who had lost his twenty-year-old son. That card reminds me how fragile life is and how important pastoral ministry really is in people’s lives. Another note is from an elderly lady in our congregation, Marilyn. Marilyn has been struggling with her health, so receiving a note of encouragement from her when she was the one who needed encouraging has really meant a lot to me.

Taking the time to handwrite a note gives weight to the message you want to convey. Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Go ahead and post, tweet, and hit send, but for those special things, consider taking a few extra minutes to put it in writing.

Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:24