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.