May 20, 2016

Coming Full Circle by Joylene M. Bailey

I considered myself mostly a closet writer until recently. In the past I wrote for myself. I wrote little stories, songs, and poems for my daughters. I didn’t think my words had got out there at all.

Then the prompt for this month got me thinking, and I realized … I wrote for people all the time.

I was an avid letter writer.



I can remember spending hours writing letters, from the time I was 10 years old. I loved putting words to paper, describing things, telling goofy stories. Who knows whether or not the recipients of those letters truly appreciated them, but I sure enjoyed writing them.

When email first came on the scene, I still wrote long letters to people, often apologizing for how long they were. For some reason I had the idea that email was meant to be brief. My emails have now become almost non-existent unless business related. Nowadays, what with Facebook, texting, etc., communication has become more of a snapshot than a portrait.

As I wrote this post I started to feel sad that my letter writing has gone by the wayside. But then I recognized that my blog has taken the place of my letter writing. When I write posts for my blog, it’s as though I am writing a letter to a friend, like I did in the old days.

Over the past few years, a good friend has been periodically returning letters I sent to her 10, 12 … 20 years ago. With each one she reminds me how my words arrived at just the right time to encourage and cheer her. For me, each one is a surprise and a gift.  

In a remarkable twist, my words have come back to minister to ME!

Never discount the words sent in a card, a note, or a letter as being of no worth. God may use them, many or few, in ways only He could orchestrate.


photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/19862723@N00/213926774">Quill</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">(license)</a>




15 comments:

  1. Letter writing seems to be a lost art. I revived it a few years ago and send a short letter to my 96 year old aunt every week. She's in a nursing home in BC so I only get to see her once a year. When I last visited she showed me some of my letters in the pouch on her wheelchair and stacks of them in her night table. Until then, I hadn't realized how much my little notes meant to her! Your post this morning reminded me that God is using those letters! Thank you.

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    1. maybe this is something we should all revive!

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    2. How wonderful for your aunt, Tandy! And also lovely for you to find out how much your words mean to her.

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  2. Anonymous7:05 am GMT-7

    What an amazing gift to have those letters come back to you, years later for 'turn around' encouragement! We really do reap what we sow, and sounds like you are receiving from all your giving of words. This really is a testimony on how much words matter, and how He uses all for the purpose to prosper us, in His timing.

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    1. Yes, His timing. Lynn your reply reminds me that sometimes our words seem to take a long time to bring results but God's timing is perfect. Thanks for that.

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  3. wow! this is so cool! Your post made me realize that I am doing much the same thing. Like you I used to write a lot of letters. I had international penpals as a child and I loved writing and recieving those letters - something that I had kind of forgotten actually tied to my writing now. I miss writing those letters, too, but also like you, my blog has probably taken their place.
    here is a favorite quote from this post: "communication has become more of a snapshot than a portrait." So true! I really connected with so much you said in this post - just another example of how YTOUR words are truly having an impact on others. thanks so much!

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    1. and... please excuse the typos! i was so excited to comment that my fingers got ahead of me!

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    2. And thank YOU for all your encouraging words, Tracy.

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  4. I loved your post. Not many people hand write letters anymore or even send cards but I still write to my sisters and still receive cards and the odd letters from them as well. I write letters to the children my husband and I sponsor through Compassion Canada and World Vision. For some reason I haven't stopped writing letters altogether. I would love start a blog too. It is a fantastic way of writing letters to people. Again, Great post!

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    1. I need to get back to letter writing. I love receiving the odd letter someone has taken the trouble to send me. The fact that they took the time to actually handwrite to me is a gift in itself. I bet the sponsored children you write to love hearing from you.

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  5. Thanks, Joylene, for telling your story and reminding all of us of the blessings of cards and letters, whether we receive them in our hands or find them in our mailbox. Maybe we need to be the ones sending out encouragement in written word to others. Your words are inspiring. Then I read Tandy's story of how her letters can bless an elderly relative or a chronically ill person who is often housebound. I must get back to letter writing--something I used to enjoy.

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    1. Just a few words in a card or note can be so encouraging. I need to get back to letter writing too.

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  6. This is a wonderful reminder of a lost art. I've written so many letters through the years, especially when we lived overseas. For a long time it was the only way to keep in touch with people. I've kept all our parents and siblings' letters. I wonder if they've done the same thing with mine. I'm going to ask. I'd like to keep them--and maybe use them in memoirs someday. Thanks for the idea.

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    1. That is a wonderful idea, Connie. Newsy letters would be so helpful in writing a memoir. Can't wait to read it.

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  7. Yes, Joylene … I too have written long emails, and still do to some people. Words of encouragement are always timely. Love that the letters are returning to you.
    "Keep those cards and letters coming."

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