“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18
Have you had an opportunity to look back through ‘old’ letters from your parents or grandparents? Were there written in cursive? If I had to write in cursive today, my hand would not be writing. My writing today is either done by printing or using a keyboard. Ninety-nine percent of my thoughts are conveyed through the computer. When I send out sympathy cards, a typed letter is my preferred method over handwriting and that is most likely due to legibility so the receiver can read my message.
Back in the day, the Apostle Paul wrote his letters or had a scribe with him that took down his words. Imagine what Paul would have done with a laptop? Spend a moment to consider the great documents of history that were written using a stylus or pen held in the hand of the significant person, including a signature. Such works as the early creeds, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the first Bible, the first books, documents like the Magna Carta, the Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States, the Gettysburg Address, and other original speeches and proclamations, not to mention journal entries and poems and songs and letters and love notes; they were all handwritten. Each word, each page, helped shape the past and now forms a legacy of literary treasure so valuable it is beyond price.
Consider the Apostle Paul, with his ancient stylus in hand, the flicker of a candle as a chilly draft blows through the dark room, the flow of ink, and such moving words in the verses from 2 Thessalonians. Paul and his scribe probably were not able to write 70 words per minute; patience. Periodically, as a Trinity HOPE school sponsor, I get a few pages of pictures from students in Haiti with a handwritten message and I think about where they wrote it and how long it took them. Receiving their Thank You page means a lot to me, seeing their words and imagining their hand gripping a pencil and feeling their love on that page speaks volumes to me. Are you a donor?
If you would like to receive a letter and a few photos from a bunch of Haitian kids being fed by your hand, check out the Trinity HOPE website for instructions. Have a blessed Monday.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay