If you had to write a letter to someone you never met… How would you start?
I got a letter in the mail yesterday from Rogers. Yes, it was sitting on the entryway floor when I came home from work mid-afternoon to grab some lunch. The timing was impeccable. His letters arrive on the days when I am consumed with thoughts of my imperfect flesh and focused on nothing but myself.
Rogers’ letters arrive when my mind is bombarded with “me, me, me…” and then I am quickly reminded of my selfishness. His first sentence, always begins with something along the lines of , “GREETINGS TO YOU IN JESUS’ NAME.” And then, he speaks truth into my life through words that stir my soul.
I starting thinking and realized Rogers is the only person I know that writes me letters and greets me in Jesus’ name. He really knows how to intro a letter…always begin by writing about someone you love more than yourself. Rogers mentions the most important person in his life FIRST in every single letter.
And yes… first is Jesus. Secondly, he shares about his family or friends and lastly himself.
WHO TAUGHT HIM TO DO THAT?
HOW CONVICTING!
Rogers reminds me of the simplicities in life that I rarely acknowledge. He is grateful for things like “maize” (corn) and one “tar-marked” (semi-paved) road and I am grateful for things like high-speed internet and a short line at McAlisters. Suggesting, my communication with others is extremely convenient and my dinner is often prepared by someone else… I never even walk miles to get it – what a luxury.
Again, HOW CONVICTING!
(never exaggerates to make his story sound better for my entertainment,) and asks for prayer in certain areas of his life. It is so refreshing to receive a non-intimidating letter that communicates someone’s heart without the need for fancy words or flashy stories.
My prayer is to be more intentional with my words, like Rogers. I am starting to realize the need to embrace simplicity… Simple things like writing a hand written letter instead of sending an email. It’s easy to fill your life with chaos by making things more difficult than they should be. Maybe, Rogers’ approach to writing letters should be applied to daily life.
SHARE stories that are truthful and don’t exaggerate them to make your life sound better.
It seems elementary when the challenge is to apply trying, sharing, and asking… that’s when “I” step in the way and see my flesh complicating my life instead of trusting Jesus with my life.
How relevant that Rogers is studying Proverbs 2….
“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call for insight and cry aloud for understanding , and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as a hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2: 1-6
Rogers’ accepts these words and always includes a greeting in Jesus’ name.
How could I refuse that?
