Ever since I was a little girl, getting mail has been a real treat. There were four of us kids and we would all run to the mail box. When our Birthday’s rolled around, that was OUR day. Possibly we did it for the week of the birthday…..goodness it’s been so long now…I can’t be certain. Anyway, the birthday girl or boy was able to get the mail, without having to race the other siblings to the box. We could ALWAYS be sure that our Grandma and Grandpa from out of town, would have a card in the mail to us! What a treat. There would be other cards from other relatives and friends as that would vary year to year, but Grandma and Grandpa’s was ALWAYS there.
When I grew up and had my own mailbox…I was just as excited to see the mailman stop and fill it up. Of course there were times that it had bills in it….and that wasn’t so great, but I still liked opening the box and finding MAIL. For some reason it was and still is like getting a gift….silly… I know.
Through the years things have changed…well…kinda. I still LOVE to check the mailbox outside, but I also LOVE to check the mailbox on my computer. It is just as exciting to see who has written something to ME.
My mother used to send me cute little cards and notes. I was always thrilled to get them from her….she would write something sweet, thanking me for doing something for her. Sometimes it was just a note of encouragement, when she knew I was struggling with something. Most of the time it was just a note telling me that she loved me….and was thinking of me.
I really miss getting those notes from her.
I have kept a lot of those letters and when I sit down and read one, it is almost like reading it for the first time. I often have to think back on what was going on in my life to put the letter in context. But when I do….it is comforting, encouraging and was always said with love. It warms my heart and lifts my spirits even today. Interesting something written so many years ago….can still touch my heart today….no matter how many times I read it. It made me want to do things to please her then and now. It made me want to be a better person. It encouraged me to love and encourage others just as I saw her do in her daily living.
I believe it was Mom that gave me this little mailbox years ago. I know for sure she gave me the little frogs that I keep with it. I have used it for decoration here and there throughout the house. I have it in the den now, and a little tradition has started. I put a few treats in the box and whenever any of the grand kids come over, they check it. It usually has Scooby Doo gummies, miniature packs of M&M’s, Hershey’s Kisses or something along those lines inside. It NEVER fails to bring a smile to their faces!!! Sometimes they will check it…smile and say….I will take it home and eat it later….which is rare…but it happens. They just like the fact that they know it is there. I’m sure they reflect on where it came from when they are ready to eat the snack. They seem to never forget things….well, except things you tell them to do…like chores.
I do hope that this little tradition we do will always bring fond memories to their hearts and minds when they old one day. That they will know they were loved beyond measure. That they were special enough in their grandmother’s heart, that she took time to make sure their was something special waiting for them. However….if they don’t look in our special place…they will miss a treat. A treat meant just for them.
Today…I STILL love getting mail. I don’t receive as much through the snail mail as I used to, but I have electronic mail to check too!!!! You can be sure that I still look forward to my birthday week! I don’t get those cards from my grandma and grandpa any more, or cards from my Mama…..but I do still get cards and letters from other loved ones. It reminds me of people that love me, some I see often, some that I don’t…..but each one still holds a special part of my heart. Each and every time I see personal mail….not bulk junk mail….it thrills me.
I have also found that when I read the Bible….it is God’s letter of love to me. It encourages me, it directs me, it tells me how much He loves me. It means more to me now than it ever has. Each and every year that goes by I find that it contains sweet treasures in it. Sometimes I can read something I have read many times before….but I see something new from that same writing on that particular day. Something that speaks to me and the situation I am encountering at the time. Other times it is hard to read….I have to see what the history was behind the reading to understand what was going on when it was written. Then….it makes more sense and oddly enough, I find that it still speaks to me today….as if it were written just for me. It is THAT personal. Just as my Mom would write personal notes to me….expressing her love….she could write that to my sisters and brother as well….and it would be true and personal….to each of us. Because she knew us and had a personal relationship with each of us. We knew her, meaning….we knew her character, we knew she meant what she said. We knew we could take what she said as truth. She could be trusted, that when she said she loved us or was proud of us, she really meant it. So it is with GOD. I have a personal relationship with him and with Jesus Christ….I KNOW the word of God…is truth. I can trust HIM and HIS WORD.
I look forward to reading HIS word each day…..it is like getting mail!
When I don’t take time, I’m the one who misses the treat.
Memorizing scripture is a lot like what I see the grandkids do. It brings a smile…knowing that it is there…just for me…and when I hide the words in my heart, I can bring them to memory when I need that special treat from God. Treats of encouragement and love…… they remind me of HIM.
I hope you will check your mail often…..your mail from God that is. You will always find a love letter their waiting for you.
PSALM 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heart ….that I might not sin against you.
I've Gone Country 