Don’t Forget The Handwritten Note!

Sep 9, 2022

If you’ve been to an Impact event lately, you’ve most likely heard me talk passionately about the importance of putting hand written notes into anything we’re assembling.

Whether it be goodie bags for teachers, snack packs for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, or backpacks for military families, every time we get together, I emphatically insist that each of our gifts have a note of encouragement to go along with them.

And here’s why.

Rewind with me to February. It was our first Good Neighbor Day of the year and the first one Mita and I were planning in our new roles as the Impact team. We were excited, energized, and expectant. The thought of all of you willingly coming to church on a Saturday morning to actively love our neighborhood was just… THE BEST!

Buuuuuut, I was also a little nervous, so I insisted that my husband, our two kids, my parents, his mom, my brother and his wife, my cousin, and my best friend and her family all attend. You know, my posse.

My family members and friends each agreed to come, of course (I mean, they’re all part of the church, too, ha!). But my dad, as usual, gave me parameters as to what he was willing to do. He wanted to ensure I utilized his strengths and didn’t push him too far out of his comfort zone.

“Wrap that teacher goodie bag with a bow? No thanks, your mom will do that.”

“Make 40+ peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Probably not, I would mess it up.”

“Handwrite a letter to a stranger I don’t know? Do I have to?”

My response to him: “Yes dad. Just a few, please. Anyone can do it, and I think it’s important.”

Side note: Are there any other dads out there like this? I’m imagining at least a few of your hands raised and heads nodding along with me. Right?!

Ok, so here’s where it gets good. Where we see the golden thread of God’s beautiful plan to bring Heaven to Earth through us and our actions, one small gesture at a time.

My dad wrote the note. And most likely forgot about it.

What he didn’t know was that a woman named Jessica would receive his note. That, at the time she would receive his note, she would be going through circumstances that felt dire and extremely difficult to overcome. But when she saw his note, God would speak to her in a way that only He can, inviting her into a life-giving relationship with Him in a way she had never experienced before. That, soon after, she would come to our church, be baptized, receive counseling and encouragement, and even better, she herself would begin to serve at future Impact events.

GAAAAH - right?!

Recently, we told a little of her story on a Sunday morning, and when they flashed a picture of the note Jessica received (because she saved it, how awesome is that?), I saw my dad’s eyes light up. We both knew his handwriting a million miles away, and in that moment, recognized the unimaginable, unmatchable, unending power of the God we serve. He loves us right down to these details.

And He can only bring Heaven to Earth in these ways through us, when we are willing.

Willing to do the uncomfortable things.

Willing to show up even when we’re nervous.

Willing to give of our time, resources, and energy.

Willing to write that handwritten note.

In 2 Corinthians 9, it says:

This most generous God…is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God…live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone.

- 2 Corinthians 9:10-13 (MSG)

Serving our neighbors is exactly how we live our lives for Christ. When we show up, open to what God can make happen through our willingness, it not only blesses others, it also helps us experience “full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way” and it continues to produce in us “abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God.”

And this is precisely why we strive to be Good Neighbors. It matters. To love others is to grow in Christ.

Who knows what story lies on the other side of your next handwritten note.

We’ve got TONS of opportunities to serve alongside us to make change for neighbors in our community so be sure to check out our Impact events page and join us soon!