If you need a laugh today, hang out with children. Ramona and I were with our one-year-old granddaughter Sophie last weekend. She’s not just the most intelligent child ever, she’s tough too. Our daughter Rachael was throwing her in the air, and Sophie smacked her head on a doorframe. “I’m so sorry,” Rachael said. Sophie patted Rachael on the head over and over. “It’s okay, it’s okay,” she said. Soon she’ll be texting I’m sure. And writing notes. One little grandson wrote this note: “Dear Grandma and Grandpa, thanks for what you got me. P.S. I forgot what you got me.” A grandson sent this thoughtful note to his sick grandpa: “I’m sorry you’re about to die. Love, Mitchell.” Well, kids just say it, don’t they?
Here are more notes from children: “Dear Brody, Miss P. made me write you this note. I want to say sorry for not being sorry ‘cause I tried to feel sorry but I don’t. Liam.” Annisa wrote: “Dear tooth fairy, I lost my tooth on the 23rd of October. It is now November 12th. I lost my tooth in pizza. You owe me $1.00. Not to be hard but I need money.”
In the age of texting and email, it’s a meaningful thing to receive a note, isn’t it? I’ve kept many from my wife. One of my favourites is from when we were dating. It starts, “Dear sweatheart.” Ramona would never win a Spelling Bee, but her written words are deeply meaningful to me. Imagine receiving a letter from your favourite athlete or celebrity, the Queen or the president. You’d likely frame it and read it often. Imagine receiving a letter from God, signed and sealed for you. Imagine that He wrote of His plans for you. His love for you. You’d read it and re-read it, wouldn’t you?
Of course, we have that letter. It’s called the Bible. Far more than a collection of writings, it’s His word to the people He created in His image. Here’s a sampling of that letter from Isaiah 43: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you…For I am the Lord your God.” If you feel lost and alone today, know that He cares and make time to open His letter to you. It will provide peace and direction, and it will nourish, strengthen and feed you.
Which reminds me of the note a boy named Brendan wrote to his mother: “Thank you, Mom, for making me food so I don’t die.”