Love letter #39: The power of snail mail and a party

Image via WikipediaIn a conversation today, I was reminded of the importance of showing love through community, physical presence, and investing with relationships by spending time with one another. Much like a "snail mail" letter vs. an email, physical presence  vs. electronic presence demonstrates a different level of care and concern.

I have a Great Aunt that faithfully sends birthday, anniversary and other cards on time to our large family with consistency and a loving touch. It feels different and more special, somehow, opening her card-- especially compared to an email.

Like a card, the physical presence of someone somehow demonstrates unspoken love in the same sincere way. That old fashioned accountability and fellowship is what builds community and demonstrates a type of love and care that can not be replaced. Scripture is consistent with the theme of the importance of physical presence, and urges us to value it by keeping community and caring for one another in the assembly.



And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25


Literally, I can not begin to count the ways that parents, grandparents, aunties,  uncles, cousins and other family have showed me love by keeping community, committing to be physically present and sacrificing their time money to make sure that our family had a sense of community. Through their attendance, their hosting, their presence, they showed their love and the value of the assembly.

Perhaps it is this that helps me to understand the value of gathering with my faith family to show love to one another and to God. God sees us as a body (Ephesians 4:1-9), His beloved bride (Rev. 19:6-8),  and sees us as a people group, a chosen people, a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9-10).

Even you humbled yourself to come down to earth, because you knew how important physical presence was. We needed to see you, how you walked in this life, and how you would handle specific situations. You took the time to come live on earth so that you would know what it was like to be tempted, first hand, to feel pain and loneliness in a robe of flesh. You loved us enough to show us step by step what love meant through sacrificing your life.

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

You loved us enough to create community through your Spirit and instruct us on how to love by residing within us (Acts 2:1-4, 42-47). 

So, Lord, help us to follow your example. Help us to follow the example of others who have sacrificed and shown genuine love in our lives through extra special care, physical presence and building community. Amen.  

Today is the last day of February, the last day of the daily February Love Letter via this blog. I pray that it has been a blessing to you and that you will find more and more opportunities to show Christ's love today and every day. There will be more Love Letter, just not every day :)