April 12, 2022

A Little Pencil, Guest Post by Brenda Leyland



"I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God
who is sending a love letter to the world."
attributed to Mother Teresa


Long before social media and email, long before I wrote my first article, essay, newsletter, or blog post, I wrote letters. The old-fashioned kind of handwritten notes with stamped envelopes addressed to family, friends, nieces and nephews, colleagues, and pen pals. I derived great pleasure in the particulars of letter writing, from choosing the stationery to gathering clippings to composing interesting sentences to fill the pages. The even greater delight for me came in imagining envelopes dropping into people's mailboxes, giving recipients a cheery surprise amongst a pile of bills and junk mail.

An interesting turn of events, then, when I found myself writing letters professionally in the correspondence unit of my esteemed boss, the Premier of Alberta. My letter writing had suddenly become more than a pastime. I sought the Holy Spirit's grace and wisdom and sharpened my writing skills. During this season, as a young woman longing to hear the Spirit's instruction and comfort for my own life, I began to yearn to use my love of writing letters to touch the hearts of others. For I certainly knew how buoyed I felt when unexpected mail arrived, reminding me on difficult days that somebody had me on their mind. 

In my eagerness to write more, I asked the Holy Spirit for help. I'd go through my address book and pay attention to whose name stood out. I soon realized how willing He was to come alongside and help me. What joy in being a collaborator with the great Comforter to lift up others. No wonder I loved Mother Teresa’s evocative picture of being a pencil in God's hands.

Sometimes I knew what I wanted to say. Sometimes I had to wait for what He wanted to say. I came to see there was a partnership, and a timing, to it all. There were times I knew who I was supposed to write to but had no idea what the individual was going through or needed. I'd wait. I'd listen. Then one morning I'd know it was the day. Words would be swirling in my mind. And when the last sentence was written, there'd come a sense of release, accomplishment, peace. Of course, I’d eagerly wait to hear back—had I truly heard aright? You can imagine my elation when return mail brought me the news, ‘Your letter arrived on a day when I especially needed that encouraging word’. Oh thank you, Lord.

It was such a beautiful, sacred season of my life. A lifetime ago. Although I never lost my love for writing letters, the world changed, my own life changed, and handwritten letters became less frequent. Until . . . Spring of 2020 when the world saw so many folks isolated from their loved ones. During lockdown, I increased my blog presence, and along with writing texts, emails, and Facebook messages, I wrote more handwritten notes to stay connected. What joy to once again create those tactile 'hold in your hand' reminders that someone had been thought about, had been wished love, comfort, warmth—something we all needed during a brittle, trying time.

My intention in 2022 is to carry on in that vein . . . a little pencil in the hand of a writing God sending love letters to the world.


Top photo by Brenda Leyland


Inspired by the beauty of God's world around her, Brenda Leyland writes from her home in northerly Alberta, Canada. You will find Brenda on her blog It's A Beautiful Life and on Facebook.




20 comments:

  1. Thanks for your wonderful and encouraging post. What treasures from the Lord are found in the waiting. This spoke to my heart. May God bless you today.

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    1. Sharon, thank you for your lovely comment and for your blessing. I receive it. Blessings back to you. :)

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  2. I love this, Brenda. I too used to be a big letter-writer and had pen pals in different parts of the world. It was always a joy when the mail carrier had a return letter from a far-off friend. The arrival of the Internet and email correspondence sadly changed all that and over time I lost every paper-based connection. I am in a very busy season of life right now but your post encourages me to pick up paper and pen again when I can and in the meantime to reach out via email or phone when God puts someone on my mind.

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    1. Yes, I like the idea of using all the media available for reaching out and connecting to people. It's the age we live it. And I know about the changing seasons in our lives and how that shapes everything we do. Thank you, Susan, for your thoughts.

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  3. "sending love letters to the world" What a high calling! It gives me a thrill to imagine your receipents getting their letter in the mail and them knowing they are thought of, prayed for, cared for. The image of the little pencil is very striking. Even 'ordinary' people are able to make a geniune difference in the world, one pencil, one person at a time. So encouraging!

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    1. "and them knowing they are thought of, prayed for, cared for". Yes, indeed. Thanks so much for your comment, Kathy!

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  4. Dear Brenda, what a delightful post about sending Light via the post. Nothing is more rewarding than having been an instrument of God's encouragement and love.
    Blessed are your friends and family members who receive your handwritten notes "during a brittle, trying time."

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    1. Wendy, I agree, there really isn't anything quite like the joy in being the instrument He's used to encourage and bless someone. Thank you for your note.

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  5. That is very thought provoking. It doesn’t take much to be a blessing to someone.

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. It's so true, it doesn't require a lot to be a blessing - whatever is in our hands.

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  6. As someone who has received an unexpected note or two from you, Bren, I know that your letter writing makes a huge difference and brings smiles to faces.

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  7. Your letters over the years have brought much pleasure to me, dear Brenda. I love the thought of a 'little pencil' making a big difference.

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    1. I do love that 'little pencil' picture too. Thank you Barbara!

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  8. we certainly need more connection with others in our time and days...

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  9. I was a letter writer too. Often times, people didn't write back. Let's hope what I did actually helped somebody somewhere.

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    1. It was disappointing when people didn't respond. I tried to remember not everyone was an avid letter writer like me, or you. Thanks, Bruce, for your comment.

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  10. This is so lovely. I mourn that we have lost the art of letter writing. I used to enjoy writing and receiving letters, too. I think your decision to start doing it again is fabulous!

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    1. Tracy, it certainly is a different season we live in. I like that we can connect through the various media available these days, but I do admit loving a handwritten note - sending and receiving.

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