The Joy Letter
It might sound rather sad but I love opening my post box and receiving a hand written letter! It makes me feel special that a friend has put pen to paper and I still get excited as I eagerly open the envelope!
Paul wrote to the Philippians from prison in a special way that showed his love for them and in the prayers for their love to increase.
Not a very joyful place but Paul still managed to find reasons to be joyful during his trials.
‘I thank my God every time I remember you, always praying with joy for all of you. I thank God for the help you gave me while I preached the Good News- help you gave from the first day you believed until now. God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again. (Philippians 1:3-6 NCV).
Paul tells us to ‘pray with joy’ 1:4 and further on in Philippians to, ‘join each other in joy’ 2:17-18, to ‘welcome those who work for Jesus with joy’ 2:25-30. Also to ‘enjoy your faith in the Lord’ 3:1, to ‘enjoy being with other Christians’ 4:1 and to ‘always be joyful’ 4:4
I hope that when I write to someone I love, that love is conveyed in the words they read and I hope that they feel special too.
I pray we continue to acknowledge the good work God is doing in our lives and reflect that not only to those we love but to all God’s people.
I wish you all a happy summer whether you are enjoying being at home or away and I hope you too receive some letters or postcards of joy…
Written by Adrienne Leach
I agree that e-mails don’t provide the same tug at the heartstrings moment that seeing a handwritten envelope on the doormat does. Even in our crazy 24/7 world, it doesn’t take that long to write a short note to an old friend and rekindle the joy of keeping in touch.