Today’s lesson is about the power of a letter. As part of a wellness program at work, I am taking a Going with Gratitude class during lunch. This weeks topic was set around the idea of a gratitude letter. We were asked to write a letter of at least 300 words to someone who has made an impact in your life. In fact, it went deeper by asking us to “Call to mind someone who did something for you, for which you are extremely grateful but to whom you never expressed your deep gratitude”. At first, I thought that I have always said thank you. Then I prayed on it and different thoughts came to mind: an ex-girlfriend who taught me an important lesson about love, a former colleague who taught me about respecting all positions in an organization, especially the secretaries, a teacher who changed my life by introducing me to creative writing and theatre. I was amazed by how many seemingly small interactions have changed the direction of my life. Then, we actually started writing. YES, writing. With a Pen and Paper. I filled half a sheet before time was up. That was the most I wrote in probably a decade. (And yes, wrote, meaning by hand). My emotional state was improved as I reflected on how great my life is due to that person. Next, I need to deliver that message to them.

“Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me ¹⁶ to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles.” – Romans 15:15+

“Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵ if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar, and foundation of the truth.” – 1 Timothy 14-15

In the Bible, include the Catholic epistles, there are 21 letters written to different groups. These letters, which form a basis of much of Christian teaching, are feelings, thoughts, directives, and ideas. They are about how Jesus has impacted the lives of the authors (St. Paul among others). They are done to pass down knowledge, to share insight and the graciousness of God. When these were written, I can’t imagine the author understood the impact on the world a couple thousand years later. Can you imagine how much impact a simple letter can be? I don’t aspire to have as much impact as St. Paul or St. Peter, but I hope that my words of kindness and gratitude impact the person who in turns impact others.

Are you willing to write a letter to someone? To share your gratitude with them in written form? You will be amazed how they react.

I am willing.

#53of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney