My email traffic reflects the world today. Between work and personal junk mail there are an average of 70-100 notes of varying sizes that cross my notebooks everyday. There is a sizable minority that I do not even need to scan, just hit delete and purge. There is another group that I scan; however careful and precise reading is not required. This usually cuts the list by two-thirds, sometimes even more!
What I find left in the inbox are the connections that make up a large part of my life. Updates from all over the world for one or more of a major initiatives, inquiries or challenges to the next step on shared projects, and occasionally buried in the pile, a personal note from a friend. It is hard to describe just how precious these are. I find that I often smile, even before I have begun to read the words. I sense the warmth from the last time we were together. I can feel the caring and concern express in the eyes still gazing into my soul. I know the trust that comes from being and doing things together.
I don’t know how to express just how much these touch me except that it does remind me of the proverb – “Like a cool drink of water when you’re worn out and weary is a letter from a long-lost friend.” (Proverbs 25.25)
There is something unique about letters, emails, and a few other communication mediums. When you receive them you have an opportunity to listen, just listen. While it is true that you can shout, cry, and scream, it is also true that the person who sent the words to you cannot hear them. When the silence returns then you can go back to the letters and heart expressions and start the process of listening all over again.
I love ready God’s letter to me. I find personal notes in the Psalms, insights in the Psalms, and observations about life everywhere. I offer up a prayer, knowing with confidence that God is listening intently.
Connections.
