How often do I take a moment to write a thank you note to one who has blessed me recently? This practice is such a edifying habit to get into. Why should we write thank-you notes? It is to acknowledge our appreciation for the love of others! It tells others we are blessed by their fellowship, the way they served us or others, their giftings, etc. It encourages them to continue in the calling that God has placed on their lives. It is so easy to become discouraged and overwhelmed, this is true especially for those who are in places of authority in your life (church, parents, leadership). They need a little note now and then just letting them know you are praying for them or that you are blessed by their service.
Writing Notes of Thanks
Who has ministered to you lately? Take a moment to jot down a thank you note. Have a box of thank-you’s always on hand for these occasions. You can find great deals on boxes of notecards at the Dollar Store. If a sermon ministered to you, write a note of appreciation. If someone extended hospitality to you, don’t forget to let them know that you enjoyed their fellowship and the invitation. If someone served you in someway, acknowledge it! Make it personal and specific. It doesn’t have to be long and detailed. Short and sweet will do the trick! Just write it from your heart. Ask the Lord for the words to write that would bless them.
Write thank you’s with your kids from a young age. Even if they are too young to write words, have them draw a special picture and have them dictate words for you to write. Cultivating a heart of thankfulness is so important.
Writing Notes of Encouragement
For a long time I have sought to cultivate the habit of writing one note of encouragement each week to someone in need of prayer, support, or simple encouragement. I think and pray about someone I know who might be going through a hard time, sickness, etc. and ask the Lord for the words to speak and/or Scripture passage to include in a short note. I have been so blessed over and over by the response I received from these simple notes. One time a suffering sister called me after receiving my note and said it came at just the right time when she needed it the most. How was I to know her trial if it weren’t for the Lord’s prompting! There is just something about getting a personal and thoughtful note in the mail from someone that was thinking of you that ministers powerfully. Pray that the Lord would give you the words to write that would minister to them right there and now. God can use this ministry in amazing ways. Offer up a little prayer as you send it on its way that it would be able to bless its recipient.
Happy Birthday Wishes
I have recently been compiling a list of the birthdays of all my friends and family as a gentle reminder for me to send them a little note of blessing on their special day. Sometimes I forget, or the birthday wishes come in the form of an email, and that’s perfectly okay. There is grace for every season. Take the opportunity to wish them a happy birthday and include a note of encouragement, if appropriate, and list out a few ways that you see God working in their life.
This is one simple way that you can minister and impact the lives of others without even leaving your home. Encouraging words have power to strengthen the weary soul. In an age of technology, let’s not forget the power of a handwritten note. It doesn’t have to be forgotten.
Originally published November 16, 2007.
Is anyone else having trouble accessing the recipe page? Every time I click on the link, it sends me to a blocked ‘Reported Attack Page!’ message and won’t let me go forward.
It should be working now! Sorry!
Love this! On my to-do list I have three thank you cards that I need to write! I have always struggled with getting them into the mail but am realizing lately just how important they really are so this was the perfect reminder to get them done today
Blessings!
Lindsay, as always, your words have encouraged me. Thank you for this post!
Lindsay, I have never taken the time to comment on a blog of someone that I don’t know personally, but I want to say THANK YOU to you for having such a wonderful blog that focuses on the things in this life that REALLY MATTER! It is truly all about God, and our Savior Jesus Christ, and serving his children while we are here on this earth. Some of my favorite articles (and I’ve only reading your stuff for a short time) have been the one about natural-living becoming an idol, the one about having a loose grip on your possessions and using the things God has blessed you with to bless the lives of those around you, and this post about expressing appreciation to those who have blessed your life. It is very true that sometimes we get weary in well doing, and think that our extra efforts are not making a difference. By expressing gratitude we are able to help others see how much we appreciate what they do, and help to sustain them. I was inspired after reading your article and knew they the Lord would help me to figure out people I could say thank you to. You were the first impression I had. So thank you!!! You’re an angel!
I recently felt moved to write a letter of thanks to my doctor and her staff. I have Crohn’s Disease, and my GI, her assistant, and the pharmacist on staff go above and beyond the call of duty. I have access to them on weekends, they answer questions about medications other doctors prescribe when I’m concerned about breastfeeding, and they give me the highest quality of care imaginable. I often feel as if I am their only patient- they respond so quickly to my needs and questions. I wrote a letter praising all three and sent a copy to them and the hospital CEO. I later found out that my doctor was moved to tears because I had written that I was so thankful that she gave up time with her family to be in her profession to take care of patients like me so that we can take care of our own families. I also felt like it was important that her superiors know that she is so appreciated by her patients. All people need encouragement in their vocations.
That is so encouraging! Thank you for inspiring us!
I love this post! I have attempted for so long to send thank-you cards and birthday cards all the time. It’s such a lost art, and a fun way to love and encourage others. I just could never get myself to stay on top of it. I was just introduce to a website that lets you send actual snail-mail cards from your computer – and it’s really cheap! It sends me reminders of birthdays, anniversaries, etc and I can send a personalized card (and even put a picture and my own “handwriting” font in it too). Sorry for the plug, but I have just really loved sending out so many cards. It is such a blessing to have an easy tool to celebrate, encourage and share Christ’s love with my friends and family.
Hi ladies! I agree wholeheartedly with the importance of sending cards of encouragement. The Lord often gives us promptings to send them, but we are usually too busy to listen or act on them. I make it a practice to send one heartfelt card every day, whether it is a thank-you, birthday, encouragement, or just because. I recently did a 30-day Gratitude Challenge and it was such a blessing, both to me and those I sent cards to. I have also been on the receiving end of a much-needed card of encouragement when my little baby wasn’t sleeping! Since one of the main reasons I haven’t sent cards in the past is due to lack of time, inconvenience, and forgetfulness, So now I use a cool online system (but sends real physical cards) so I don’t have to go to the store or post office, and it sends me birthday reminders too. You can also do a 30-day Gratitude Challenge on my website. Technology has given me a way to act on the Lord’s promptings to reach out in kindness!
Megan, that’s too funny! I just read your post and saw that you are a SendOutCards distributor too. How cool! I’m so glad you shared about the 30-Day Gratitude Challenge. I think there are a ton of people on this blog that would love using the site.
This the reason I do SendOutCards, more than money it’s about staying connected and celebrating and encouraging people!
YES. This is great! I too love the art of written communication, especially when used to encourage others. And really – although email, texting, etc. is great, I will always think that nothing beats ‘snail-mail’ … having something physically in your hand is just different. Thank you for sharing how you incorporate this into life during your particular season … it’s a good challenge to me and sounds very doable. Thx for this post!
My 91 year old grandma writes several notes a day, as she is limited physically. For her 90th birthday, over 100 people gathered to honor her life and ministry, and then blessed her with more note cards and stamps. At Christmas she receives hundreds of cards and then keeps them in a stack and prays for each person or family that wrote her the card, and writes them back. I love how she is blessed by her letter writing ministry!
Here’s a great story about the results of a note – my friend just shared this with me. She stops at a local Burger King every morning for coffee on her way to work. She has gotten to know a couple of the workers there. She noticed the manager was really helpful and sweet to the homeless and elderly who stop in at the Burger King. So my friend went on Burger King’s website and wrote a note to the corporate office singing her praises. The next day, the manager mentioned it to her (a copy of the note goes to the local restaurant). A few weeks later, the manager got promoted because of my friend’s note. Wow!
I agree! I am trying to get into a habit of making cards to give. A kind thought or word of encouragement can make all the difference to another person’s day!
Hi Julia,
I’m an American living in Wellington with my hubby. I love sending cards of encouragement as well!
I wanted to say hi because I’m in New Zealand too
Oh, I absolutely agree! I still send birthday cards (paper ones) to my family members. My brother-in-law told me my card is the only one he gets every year. That made me determined to keep sending him one.
My kids were always required to send notes when appropriate or when someone did something special for them. In fact, I’ve always had trouble making chocolate chip cookies (they spread and the edges burn). Years ago a friend figured out what I was doing wrong – not adding enough flour. After that I could make perfect chocolate chip cookies. My daughter especially was ecstatic. She sent my friend a note and thanked her for fixing my chocolate chip cookie problem.
But seriously, I’ve sent a lot of notes and I’m surprised at how many people have thanked me for sending them. It seems like a small thing to me, but I think it means a lot to the people who receive them.
This is a really helpful reminder, thanks!
Thanks for the reminder and encouragement! Just recently I have been really challenged by the value of hand written, meaningful communication in a world where meaningless texting and comments and messages abound!
People have naturally come to ignore much of it, but a handwritten card really garners attention and conveys that you care!!
Love this reminder! I had slacked off from doing this but I will get back to it right away!
I try to do this as well. Thank you post cards are also great for kids-short and sweet
I was taught from a very young age to write thank you notes for receiving any gift, and it’s something I’ve kept going with my own kids (3 & 5, simple notes + drawings!) because I think it’s so valuable. When they see you doing it, they will also think it normal and will follow suit.
Sarah M
I as raised to always write thank you notes after receiving gifts. Once I was on my own, and living by myself, I had a stash of cards, thinking of you, miss you etc cards. And I send them out routinely.
I wish there were more households who held onto his tradition.
I was raised the same way. Unfortunately I think writing thank-you notes is becoming a dying practice, especially in my generation (mid 20s). I completely agree – it’s an important tradition to hang on to.
I have just recently decided to try and do that very thing- write one encouraging note a week. Thanks for the post, it is inspiring me to actually start doing it!
Hi Lindsay
I bounced over to your blog from Kimmi’s. I LOVE what you’ve done. Love this post! Great encourager.
And, I love the precious pic of you and your little one! So, sweet! lylah