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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"You've Got Mail"
November 30, 2010
I've always loved going to the mail box. As a kid I would run out after
school to see if the Sears & Roebucks catalog had arrived or if there was a
card or letter for me. When I was in college I would go to the mailbox
twice a day just to see if there was something there. The mail was delivered
every morning but I went to check it in the afternoon too, just in case.
I still like going to the mail box even though more and more people are
resorting to e-mail. There is something about receiving a letter that is
precious. Holding it in your hand and reading and re-reading it is a heart
thing that is beyond compare. This time of year is mail box heaven. I can't
wait 'til the Christmas Cards start arriving.
Anyway, a few weeks back I was rewarded for my obsession. I went to
the mailbox and pulled out a letter addressed to me from a man named
Leonard. He explained that I didn't know him but that he knew me. He'd
been reading these columns for some time.
Len wrote that every year at Thanksgiving he made it a point to reach out
to help someone in need. This year he decided to try something different. In
the envelope were two gift cards. He told me that he knew the good work
we were doing here at church. He asked me to find two families in need and
to share the cards with them.
I love spending other people's money. During Thanksgiving week I visited
a young couple with a two year old son. They had just moved into a new
apartment. Money was tight. I gave them the first card and they were
aglow with joy. The second card went to a middle aged man who is out of
work and looking for a job. He's living on next to nothing and is on this side
of homelessness. That gift brought a smile to his face and ensured that he
would have a bright Thanksgiving.
I came home and sent a note to Leonard thanking him for his
thoughtfulness. Before doing so I re-read his letter. It struck me how
blessed I was to be able to do something so incredibly thoughtful on behalf
of someone else. Then it hit me that this is exactly what God calls all of us
to do.
God has blessed us. He doesn't ask for us to give it all back to him.
Instead he invites us to pay it forward and to share the blessings with
others. Isn't that what He did on that first Christmas. He shared himself in
the babe of Bethlehem and we beheld his glory.
When we reach out in love, when we share our ourselves with others, the
heavens rejoice and the angels sing. God's blessings flow through us to
brighten a darkened world.
So go check your mail. There is a message from God in there that says
"Here's my love. Share it with someone in need." In doing so, you can make
someone's holiday a time of rejoicing.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
November 30, 2010
I've always loved going to the mail box. As a kid I would run out after
school to see if the Sears & Roebucks catalog had arrived or if there was a
card or letter for me. When I was in college I would go to the mailbox
twice a day just to see if there was something there. The mail was delivered
every morning but I went to check it in the afternoon too, just in case.
I still like going to the mail box even though more and more people are
resorting to e-mail. There is something about receiving a letter that is
precious. Holding it in your hand and reading and re-reading it is a heart
thing that is beyond compare. This time of year is mail box heaven. I can't
wait 'til the Christmas Cards start arriving.
Anyway, a few weeks back I was rewarded for my obsession. I went to
the mailbox and pulled out a letter addressed to me from a man named
Leonard. He explained that I didn't know him but that he knew me. He'd
been reading these columns for some time.
Len wrote that every year at Thanksgiving he made it a point to reach out
to help someone in need. This year he decided to try something different. In
the envelope were two gift cards. He told me that he knew the good work
we were doing here at church. He asked me to find two families in need and
to share the cards with them.
I love spending other people's money. During Thanksgiving week I visited
a young couple with a two year old son. They had just moved into a new
apartment. Money was tight. I gave them the first card and they were
aglow with joy. The second card went to a middle aged man who is out of
work and looking for a job. He's living on next to nothing and is on this side
of homelessness. That gift brought a smile to his face and ensured that he
would have a bright Thanksgiving.
I came home and sent a note to Leonard thanking him for his
thoughtfulness. Before doing so I re-read his letter. It struck me how
blessed I was to be able to do something so incredibly thoughtful on behalf
of someone else. Then it hit me that this is exactly what God calls all of us
to do.
God has blessed us. He doesn't ask for us to give it all back to him.
Instead he invites us to pay it forward and to share the blessings with
others. Isn't that what He did on that first Christmas. He shared himself in
the babe of Bethlehem and we beheld his glory.
When we reach out in love, when we share our ourselves with others, the
heavens rejoice and the angels sing. God's blessings flow through us to
brighten a darkened world.
So go check your mail. There is a message from God in there that says
"Here's my love. Share it with someone in need." In doing so, you can make
someone's holiday a time of rejoicing.
God bless. See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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