In teaching a class on volunteer management years ago, I mentioned how important it is to encourage others, that writing thank you notes was a great way to accomplish that, and how this note writing would actually cause the writer to become a more grateful person. Somewhere along the way of chaos, I let this practice of writing thank you notes go.
I was humbled (and embarrassed) when I ran into one of those volunteers recently and not only did she remember the class but talked about how the art of writing thank you notes made a huge difference in her life and the lives of others. She thanked me for this wonderful advice. It hit me in the heart. What is that saying? “Do as I say, not as I do?”
In so many of Paul’s letters to churches, he used some version of the same words over and over. “Lift each other up and encourage each other.” Jesus did not want us to miss how important this is. Focusing on the negative is easy. Sometimes it can even become our default, but the way we show Christ’s love is by encouraging and lifting up those around us.
A great way to lift others up is by writing thank you notes. Think about all the people in your life (present and past) that have made a difference. Maybe it was a small act of kindness, perhaps they encouraged you along the way, or maybe it was just the way they made you feel. Start making a list of all those you have to be thankful for and acknowledge it with a kind written word. Emails and texts are good ways to encourage as well but there is something truly special about a handwritten note. It reflects that you took considerable time to have a card, write the note, and drop it in the mail. And getting a thank you note in the mail sure comes as a welcome surprise in between the bills to be paid.
Here’s the challenge, and I’m joining in it too (really!). Make your gratitude list of people, get a large stack of thank you notes, and begin to send out a couple of cards a week. These don’t have to be long notes but just a few lines of heartfelt appreciation. You might consider adding Paul’s verse and “encourage” them to also send out some thank you notes. This practice could even be a part of your daily quiet time asking the Lord to direct your encouragement exactly where needed.
Many years ago, I attended an etiquette class through my employer that suggested you never send a thank you note with the actual words “Thank You” on the front of the card. But I want my thank you to be obvious. I want the recipient to know and understand my gratefulness. So for me that etiquette is going out the window! But truly the card itself doesn’t matter. It is what you write inside from the heart that will be a true encouragement. This practice will not only cause us to be more grateful for how others have helped us in the past, but it will make us more aware of even the smallest acts of kindness in the future.
My prayer is that we show Christ’s love to others in the way that we encourage. That we will begin to see people through His eyes rather than our own. That we will spend more time being grateful for the many blessings in our lives.
I can’t wait to get started with my note writing and sure hope that you will consider joining me! Perhaps someday we might even find a thank you note of our own in the mail.
