letters

I observe people and patterns in life. I notice things others may easily overlook or not think anything of it. But me? I see them and think about them. I don’t know why, except that it is the way God made me. I believe it helps me as a writer.

Recently, April wrote a letter to a close friend, and her friend was offended. I noticed that people don’t like receiving letters that share the truth. The letters they like the least are the ones that point out an issue in their life. The letters are usually written out of love and concern for the individual, but the receiver does not seem to notice that. They tend to respond with a “How dare they…” Or a “Well, they do this…”

Most of the time, instead of receiving the message, they get defensive! There is something about looking at and reading words that are written. It’s like the person reads it over and over and can’t ignore or get away from it unless they tear it up and throw it away. I have also noticed they will tell people what the letter said but fail to let others read the letter for themselves.

I wrote a letter a few years ago to a loved one, and it wound up costing me just over $50,000! How is that possible, you ask? I wrote the letter to my father sometime before he passed away because he was struggling with some “friends,” and instead of listening to the truth, he kept hanging up on me, so I wrote a letter. He got so mad that he decided to get revenge on me and he wrote me out of his will.

I don’t look for financial provisions from anyone individual because my provider is God almighty! He provides for all my needs. Dad was saying whatever he wanted to to his friends but failed to understand why they no longer came around or talked to him. My letter tried to help him realize that just because you are old, you still don’t have the right to speak to people however you choose to. Even if what you are saying may be true to you.

In the Bible, especially in the New Testament, in the books that Paul wrote, you will notice that it says, “Letter to the Philippians,” etc. The people of those churches may not have liked all that Paul wrote, but he did it to help them, encourage them, and instruct them so their lives would be better. Paul told the people the truth!

The Bible, overall, is a letter to people, anybody, around the world. It is God’s message of ultimate love. The whole book is a guide of how to live life God’s way. People may not like the truth, and they have free will not to accept it, but their lives and their futures would be much better if they did. The Bible is written words that you shouldn’t ignore, and you can’t get away from them. The Bible is a letter to you!

“So no one told you life was going to be this way.
Your job’s a joke, you’re broke, you’re love life’s DOA.
It’s like you’re always stuck in second gear,
Well, it hasn’t been your day, your week, your month, or even your year.”

Do you recognize those words? The famous opening lyrics to the hit TV show, “Friends”. There are a lot of different people in your life. Some you choose and, well, others you didn’t, but we’ll ignore them for now. The ones you chose are your friends. You picked them and got to know them because you were like minded, for the most part, and yet even if their lifestyle and choices are different than yours, you enjoy being around them. They make you laugh, they make you feel important, and perhaps, even loved.

As I write this post I am recounting the past few days. I have had the privilege of getting to spend time with 10 different friends in different ways.

My friend Steve: He called me and we caught up. We laughed, we remembered, and we encouraged each other. He and I used to spend Saturday nights, after church, at McWillows talking, laughing, and wondering what to do with our love lives, or the lack of. It felt so good to hear his voice again. Steve is the man God used to get me writing. He simply asked, “What’s keeping you from writing?” Three days later I found the answer, and decided to take the risk.

My friend Roger: I worked with him on his current home remolding project. Blood, sweat and the prevention of tears. My friend needed help, and encouragement and I got to be there for him. There is nothing as satisfying as finishing a day’s work, stepping back and saying, “It is good.” I think God coined that phrase.

My friend John: It had been a while since I had spoken to John, who I used to work with, so I called him. His company is closing his department and I was concerned about his future, but he informed me he will be okay as he is transferring to a new department that supports the State Farm Insurance Company and my friend will now be known as “Jake, from State Farm”. I asked him what he was wearing. If you are aware of the TV commercial then you are laughing.

My friends Andrew and Debra: I met Andrew on the commuter train that ran in and out of Chicago. After very little communication, I saw his wrist band, and asked about it. Since that day the communication hasn’t ended. God used Andrew to help me learn about opportunities where my skills in writing could grow. I later met his wife Debra. This past week they came to visit me where we applied Covid safety. We had a great time catching up as I had not seen them in four years.

My friend Michael: The next day Michael made a stop with his friend as they are exploring Route 66. Michael was a summer intern at AT&T some years ago, and we became friends. Again, it was good to catch up and spend time together while respecting Covid.

My friend Chris: We are staying in touch, especially after he fought a hard bout with Covid and with God’s help, won! Chris is a good man who cares about others.

My friends Russ and Ginger: I received a letter (a piece of paper written on and then folded and placed in an envelope, addressed, and stamped, then placed in the mail) from them that caught me up and touched my heart.

My favorite friend: Every night, I get to see and talk to my wife via Messenger. Lately, we have gotten excited about our future and we have been dreaming concerning how it will work out. So many things are coming together that were once a mystery.

A man who has good friends is rich beyond measure.

The friends mentioned above have been so helpful, encouraging, and uplifting over the years, each in their own way. Jesus is also our friend and He will stay with you closer than a brother. That is if you have invited him to be one of the Who’s in your life. Having good friends requires you be a good friend. Some friends may come and go in and out of your life, but the good ones stay and are there for your day, your week, your month, or even your year. And this year has proven to be one that requires good friends.