- Little Writer
Dear Little Writer,
Today’s topic is very much what I am doing right now, writing a letter.
The ministry of writing, can be such a special way to encourage someone. It is a way to keep encouraging someone time and time again because they can read your written words over and over.
So often people think about writing a letter or sending an email to a missionary or another church member, but never actually put the thought into action.
Proverbs 11:25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
What this verse is saying is that someone that takes the times to help and encourage others will in turn be encouraged and refreshed. Whether you actually write a long hand letter, a
*short sticky note or an email, encouragement is a very important part of taking care of another’s soul and spirit.
We all need encouragement, but sometimes having something physically in our hands makes the words that much more meaningful.
Now the ministry of writing may not be for everyone. I learned a long time ago that God has given me a way with words, but I am often intimidated or even a little afraid to speak them in person. So writing is perfect for me. Getting new stationary or pens fills me with such joy that I can’t wait to start writing.
But what I want to remind you of, is that even if writing isn’t your ministry, encouraging others always will be. God wants you to be a part of the lives of those around you and a good part of that is helping each other, encouraging each other, in your walk with God. That NEVER stops.
Find a way to encourage those around you today and if writing is that way, then do it. It has been a huge blessing to me, and I know it can be to you as well.
Until next time,
Tami
- Present Moments
Dear Present Moments,
I often would imagine myself in a place much like the fairytale princess we read about in books or watch in movies. I would be surrounded by fairies and animals, dreaming of the day that a handsome prince would come rescue me from the evil witch or queen who desperately wanted me dead. I would be watching from my high window in the castle, expressing my emotions and dreams through song. Actually, that wasn’t me, but rather almost every other girl that I knew.
I was a little different. I didn’t want someone to rescue me, but rather come alongside me as I worked endlessly practicing with my bow and sword fighting, preparing for a battle to save my family from some evil ruler who enslaved all under his power. Thinking back, I often envisioned myself dressed as a boy, which would have been a questionable back in the Robin Hood days, so that I could blend in and learn from all the other men fighting for their freedoms. Then a random stranger would come into our camp, who unknowingly hid his identity as a prince, so that he could find refuge for his own life. I have never been one to sit around waiting for someone to rescue me. I would rather work together towards a better future and goal.
Are you waiting to be rescued from your entrapment of singleness?
If you are, you need to start adjusting your vision and what you’re focused on? I can’t tell you how many hours I wasted dreaming of my future partner. Rather than wasting my time fantasizing about my Prince Charming, I wish I had given Jesus full rein over my time?
Your single state may not be permanent, but it was NEVER intended to be a comatose state. We are not “Sleeping Beauties” until our Prince Charming arrives and whisk us off to his shiny new castle. This is an illusion often used by the world to defraud women (to deprive them of something by deception or fraud).
This is the time to develop long-lasting skills and spiritual habits that will help you even after you marry. Is there an opportunity for service that you have avoided because you can’t give up your place on the castle wall looking for your knight? Is there an application for a summer ministry waiting for you to fill out? The more we wait to do ministry, the harder it will be to actually be able to do it, because time brings more and more distractions.
So, don’t waste your time waiting for your future Prince Charming. Get busy with what God has for you to do. Go volunteer for that ministry you have been putting off and maybe do that missions trip you have been eyeing. Don’t wait a moment longer.
Until next time,
Tami
- Finding a Perfect Partner
Dear Finding a Perfect Partner,
I know with that title you may be getting a little excited, but… I’m afraid that the partner I am referring to may not be the one you expected.
I am talking about a prayer partner. I know that wasn’t what you were wanting, but is just as special. Finding someone to whom you can pray with is very important, and maybe more so than finding the correct marriage partner.
You need someone whom you can trust and also share your needs as a young believer in Christ. It cannot be simply any friend that you can shoot the breeze with because you don’t want to lose focus, but rather pay attention to what is important, which is prayer.
“Why is praying so important?”
Well, prayer is communication between two people who love each other. It is you spending time talking to God, which can fill your heart with the love you desire, before you are in a relationship. The only way to fail at prayer is to not show up or do it.
“What if I don’t know how to pray?”
Lucky for us, God doesn’t judge us on how we pray, whether good or bad. He simply wants you to spend time with him and talk to him.
“So then, what is the purpose of a prayer partner?”
A prayer partner encourages you to keep God’s perspective in your life. They are to help you in your commitment to being all that God wants you to be, whether married or single. Also, they can intercede to God on your behalf. When you have struggles or concerns, they give you someone who can support you with their prayers and be there for your physical needs.
A prayer partnership is two Christians choosing to come together to hold each other accountable in their faith and prayer life. Not only are they there to help you in times of need, but you also need to be willing to help them. God wants to grow closer to you, which you practice this with your prayer partner.
Have you found your perfect prayer partner yet? Think about. Pray about it. Ask God to bring that perfect fit, so that you can take the next step in growing closer to God today.
Signing off,
Tami - Righteous Toothpaste
Dear Righteous Toothpaste,
Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.”
When someone shares a need with you and all you want is to respond in wisdom and grace, remember this verse. God will give you the words to say, if you pray and ask him for them. The Holy Spirit will guide our words, so that they can be an encouragement to those that need them.
Proverbs 15:4 “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”
I am reminded of back when I was in youth group on Wednesday nights. There was one particular evening that I remember very vividly. There were two teens kneeling on the floor, with a mat laid in front of them and two tubes of toothpaste in their hands. They were given 5 seconds to get all the toothpaste out of the tube and onto the mat in front of them. Let me tell you, that room was full of screams of support and cheering for a winner as that toothpaste came flying out of those little holes on the ends. Before you knew it, the timer had ended and the two tubes were empty.
Then the group leader gave a second challenge and set 30 seconds on the timer, but this time the two teens had to get all the toothpaste back into the tubes without cutting them. Meaning they had to work that toothpaste back in through the little holes it had came out of. When that timer started, they used all their effort to get that toothpaste to go back inside, but only ended up with a mess all over their hands and the mat when the alarm sounded as the 30 seconds finished. Disappointed, the two teens started cleaning off their hands as the rest of us went back to our seats which had been quickly forgotten at the beginning of the exercise. Everyone quiet once more, the group leader picked up the practically empty toothpaste tubes and held them up for all to see. He said “These tubes represent each of you, the holes on the ends are your mouths and the paste is the words that leave them. What we say comes out easily, but taking it back is almost impossible. We need to be aware of what we are allowing to come out of our mouths before we say anything we may regret and can’t take back.”
Just as that group leader explained with such a simple but effective picture, we need to make sure that our words are guided by the wisdom and grace of God. We don’t want to accidently be stuck with toothpaste all over our hands that we wish we could put back into the tube. Hurtful words spoken have consequences that sometimes can never be fully erased. They cause emotions, distress, and pain that you may never be able to remedy. That is why God tells us be aware of what we are putting in our minds so that what comes out of our mouths lines up with Christ.
Let’s use our words to be an encouragement rather than a disappointment.
Signing off,
Tami - Putting into Practice
Dear Putting into Practice,
Almost as dangerous as neglecting the Word of God, is the habit of taking it in but not putting it into practice. Jesus clearly says in his word that we are to take what we learn and share it with the world.
2 Timothy 2:2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Impression without expression can lead to depression. (That is one of the reasons that I write these posts. Coming from a small church in rural MN, there isn’t a lot of opportunity to share everything that God is teaching me. But he has opened up this means for me to share what I have learned with others like you.)
Do you keep taking in, at church or in your personal devotions, and yet never give it out to others? We need to share with them what God has laid on our hearts, so that they too can learn and grow in their faith. What God is teaching you, may be exactly what someone needs to hear today, but if you don’t share it, then how can they be blessed or helped.
A Christian that is learning and growing in their faith will get excited and they should want to share that joy with others. Take advantage of this time in your life when you can be involved in teaching without so many encumbrances. The future may hold more distractions that will continue to keep you from being able to share with others as often as you may desire.
Don’t let your future (your dreams or hopes) keep you from enjoying the present, because the present determines your future, especially when it comes to serving God.
Tell someone this week something that God is teaching you at church or in your personal study. Believe me it will feel amazing and you can say that you obeyed God in sharing His wonderful blessings with others. Try it.
Signing off,
Tami
Dear Young Lady,
I am so excited that you found me here in Love Letters. This is a safe place where you can come learn and hopefully be encouraged as you grow through probably one of the most challenging times of your life.
Growing up is full of new experiences that can be life-changing and sometimes scary, but don’t worry too much. I am going to be here to answer questions and show you through my personal experiences what I have learned and how everything will be ok. You are not the only one who is going through what you are feeling or thinking. It may surprise you to know that many women before you and many more after you have or will all go through it just like you. The key is to seek help and ask questions from the right places and people.
I know every girl is wondering and imagining about their future, probably with vivid pictures and dreams. In these letters, we will address some of the “big questions”, like how or when will you find the perfect boyfriend, how to know where you are supposed to live or go to college, and so many more. But we are also going to learn, at the same time, what God says about our future relationships and purposes.
There will be times that you will not like what I have to say or what God desires for your life, but… All I ask is that you wait a day or two before reacting. Pray about it and maybe talk to someone you trust who is a sound spiritual leader. I am not going to pretend that I have all the answers because I don’t. All I can do is show you how, with God’s help, I got through a time in my life that could have been the most discouraging and confusing.
To start off these letters, I am going to give you 10 points that we will discuss and hopefully learn to become a godly woman. These points are the key to finding success in every area of our young Christian lives.
1. She recklessly abandons herself to the Lordship of Christ
2. Diligently uses her single days
3. Trust God with unwavering faith
4. Demonstrates virtue in daily life
5. Loves God with undistracted devotion
6. Stands for physical and emotional purity
7. Lives in security
8. Responds to life with contentment
9. Makes choices based on her convictions
10. Waits patiently for God to meet her needs
Don’t try to understand right away what each of these means. They may sound straightforward, but we are going to really dig in and find out some amazing truths that will forever guide your life if you let them.
Again I am so excited that you chose to join me on this new adventure.
Signing off,
Tami