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PROGRAM D-7200
Jody Noland has written a wonderful workbook entitled Leave Nothing Unsaid, where she gives wonderful help and encouragement for all of us to write letters of affirmation to the important people in our lives. I want to share what she wrote about her father:
“Several years ago, I wrote my dad a letter in honor of his 89th birthday. Fortunately, his mind was still keen. I was touched and humbled by how much he appreciated the letter. He told me what a treasure it was to him, and how he planned to reread the letter whenever he was having a bad day or felt discouraged. And I wondered. . . why did I wait until he was 89 to tell him how much I cherished him? I’m so thankful that I had the opportunity to affirm my dad while he was still alive, and not just express my heart as a eulogy at his funeral several years later.”
All of us have had friends and family die unexpectedly for all kinds of reasons. Psalm 90:12 says, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Remember that you don’t know the number of days you or those you love have left, and you don’t want to live with the regret that you never really told them what they meant to you—you left something unsaid.
These letters we write can be used as gifts on special occasions, or just be that totally unexpected letter of encouragement to someone. I know how I’ve often been lifted and encouraged by surprise notes of appreciation. There are no doubt people in your life who have rarely received words of affirmation from anyone. Can you imagine how a letter from you might impact their lives?
God’s letter to all of us is full of his words of affirmation and encouragement, and I close with one of my favorite passages to encourage and affirm you today:
Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.
If you are interested in Jody Noland’s book, click here.