Does anyone write letters anymore? When was the last time you got a real, hand-written piece of personal correspondence from a loved one? When was the last time you sent one yourself?
I just finished writing one. Every now and then, I will feel inspired to drop a handwritten note of prayer or encouragement in the mailbox to a friend, but tonight's letter was different. You see, every couple of months I receive and respond to letters from an uncle whose only consistent means of communication is through the good old USPS. Where he's been for the past few years and will be for the rest of his life, allows only outgoing collect calls or snail mail letters to communicate with those who don't live close enough to visit. No emails, text messages, or social media accounts to stay connected the way the rest of the world does.
Where he's at, not much changes. There's not much news for him to share. Maybe a little about the weather, or some news about a visit from a friend or family member who traveled out of their way to spend a little bit of time with him, or what he spent the monetary gifts he's received on. However, even those little bits of information are enough to keep him connected to a small part of a life he used to live. So when I sit down to respond to his letters, I write as much as I can. I tell him about my family, my job, my travels, my prayers, and as much as I can think of to give him a picture of the lives of those who love him and are praying for him. I send him a joke, to put a little bit of laughter into his heart. I sometimes send pictures so he can see the family resemblances. And I even tell him of the hard things we might be going through, so that he can connect with us and with God through the prayers he prays on our behalf.
In an age of almost constant electronic contact, it's amazing how meaningful receiving an old fashioned letter can be.
Matthew 25:36 "I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
I remember the first time I was introduced to the idea that names have
meaning. I was given a bookmark card from my Catechism teachers, the one pictured above. I saw my name, Amy, and took note of
the meaning, "Beloved". What a beautiful word. I have treasured that card ever since. Soon after, I did some digging and
found out that Lucille means "Light". I loved the sound of the two meanings together; "Beloved Light," how poetic, evoking feelings of value and hope. Throughout the years, whenever
I've come across displays or a book of names and their meanings, I
always double check. Does it still say Amy means "Beloved"? Yes! And
Lucille? Is it still "Light"? Yes, again!
I never stopped to think about why the meanings of my first and middle name have always meant so much to me until recently. Lately, I haven't felt so beloved or light. Over the past few years, some of the most important parts of my life have gone from solid to tenuous, leaving me feeling vulnerable. Relationships have cracked or broken, my role in many areas has started to shift, and my future purpose feels hidden. All of this sometimes has me wondering who or what I am supposed to be. Then, I remembered. I am Beloved and I carry Light. .
Choosing a name for a blog is tricky business. The name has to be inviting. It has to be easy to remember, it should give a hint of what the blog is about. So I chose Living with Beloved Light, because I want this blog to be a reflection of me; who I am, how I feel about the life I'm living, and what I'm learning along the way.
Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor
things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
