Encourage one another and build each other up. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV
When was the last time you received a card in the mail?
You can expect a few around maybe your birthday or Christmas, but what about the other 363 days of the year. Are bills and junk mail the only items to take residence in your mailbox?
I’ve written about the act of sending a physical card in the mail several times and each time I truly reflect on the impact it will have on the receiver. Sending cards in the mail is ‘old fashioned’, but aren’t there a lot of things that we used to do that are still good for us, although we may not do them?
Sending a card in the mail takes more thought, time and comes from the heart. When you take the time to write out a sentiment to a friend who needs some encouragement and write out their address, it just touches hearts differently. Not only the receiving person, but the sender too.
When we become a means to share God’s love to others and play a part in encouraging and building up those who are important to us, it matters.
The receiver immediately feels important, loved and cared about in ways that an email or e-card just does not convey.
I had the pleasure of sharing cards with some dear friends of mine. I share two Monday’s a month with some awesome ladies who have stretched me, accepted me even when I share things that aren’t so wonderful and been companions on this journey with me. I am not sure I can imagine this past 2 ½ years without them being faithfully in my life.
So when my Holley Gerth – Hope and Encouragement card pack
came in the mail and I could choose anyone to send a card to, I chose to send 8 cards! One to each of the ladies in my group. Each card was so original, they each spoke different words, but all with the same heartfelt theme, God’s love for them. Add in some personal encouraging words and they are perfect. Plus, the photographs and illustrations on the cards made them appear much more expensive than they really are.
I wish I could see their faces as they read the words I chose special for each of them. I hope their day is a little more enjoyable, that they can see beyond whatever circumstance they are dealing with at that moment, and remember there is someone who truly cherishes them.
DaySpring has generously sponsored a giveaway on The Confident Mom so that you could share encouragement with someone special in your life. You can enter to win a $35 gift card to DaySpring by leaving a comment on who you could send a card to today, or even pick a few items for Valentine’s Day. I love this mug set – I bought it last year for me and my hubby for Valentine’s Day!
******************GIVEAWAY CLOSED*******************************
I had such fun sending these cards to the ladies in my group, and just today I received an email from one of them, “Thank you so much for the card, it came at a time where I needed the encouragement! That was so nice of you!”
See….. you just never know how taking a moment out of your day could truly make a difference in someone else’s.
You can also enter giveaway on the (in)courage page – double your chances! Just enter by clicking the (in)spired deals picture at the beginning of the post, below.
DaySpring gave me two free card packs to review for this post and giveaway. All opinions stated are your own and were not influenced by the free product.
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
I should send a card to my in-laws, thanking them for their help at my birthday party.
I would send a card or more to my hubby. Due to his job we live apart right now. This would definitely help bridge the gap.
Thanks Susan! I would love to win that adorable set.
As for cards, I send them often. I love sending and receiving them. Nothing beats a note in the mail.
I would send a card to my dear friend Ashley, she lives across the country, but is a great friend to me. She is always “there” when I need someone!
I would send a card to my dad. He is having a rough time lately and a card will definately cheer him up.
I love receiving cards, but you’re right, it’s rare anymore. I’d live to bless some friends with encouraging words. We all have a child with Down syndrome, and while we adore our children, some days can be a challenge. Peace.
I would send quite a few cards to some important women in my life. This last year has been incredibly hard, they have stood and prayed with me through it all.
I want to send a card to my own momma thanking her for all the help she’s given me with my 1-year-old daughter. I couldn’t have made it through the past year without her support!
Wow, so many options to choose from on who I’d send a card to for encouragement. However, today, another mother of many young children (one just a few days old) is on my mind. I know first hand how challenging it can sometimes be with small children, and when you are running on fumes with no sleep from many late night feedings, sometimes just a small encouraging word like “hang in there you’re doing great!” can be a daily game changer.
I’m a member of the Dayspring card club and just got a delivery this weekend. I send at least one card a week to someone whether it is for a birthday, a thank you, or just a thinking of you. It never fails that there is always someone who needs some encouragement or smile every week. This week I am sending a card to my cousin who is suffering through an illness and in a hospital and to my niece who has a birthday. I have heard back from several people who have appreciated the card I sent them!
Stacie Gorkow would love for you to read….Product Review: Lego Friends
Me too! Love that they make it so easy!!!
Today, my Grandmother is on my heart and I would send an encouraging card to her house for her to come home to when she leaves the hospital.
I would send to a shut-in/assisted living resident. The ladies in our women’s ministry group are assigned each month to reach out to a widow in the community. Cards are a great way to let them know they are thought of and prayed for. I know of several others that really could use the encouragement a card brings.
Your just inspired to send a customized card to my husband’s grandmother whom we just saw in a nursing home over the holidays. We rarely see her and I got a picture of her with my boys. Thanks for encouraging me to do so!! Sadly, so many people get overlooked! Thanks for helping me be aware!
I would send a card to my Grandma. I don’t see or talk to her as much as I should and she would love receiving a card from me and my kids. January is a month of rememerance for her since my granfather passed away in January 2 years ago and their wedding anniversary is also this month. She could probably use a pick me up.
I would send a card to my mother in law, she has been a strong pillar of support for me over the last 13 years of marriage. Sometimes she knows exactly what to say to help me over my problems. I love her so much and I don’t think she realizes how much.
Also, I would send one to my friend Britt, who is always encouraging me to believe, love, and expand my heart for others as well as myself. He’s been a wonderful friend to me.
Angela
I am a military wife/mom and am beyond blessed to make awesome friends at each duty station we go to. However, every four years we move and it’s easy to loose touch with your closest friends. Although I know if/when we see each other again we will be able to pick up where we left off, sending a card is a great way to keep in touch. Also, the beauty of a card is that you can just pull one out when they pop in your mind, get your thoughts on paper and breath some fresh air when you walk it down to the mailbox instead of letting emails bombard you and them. It’s tangible thoughtfulness!
I love what you say “Tangible thoughtfulness” – so true, it can be re-read again and again!
How wonderful that you have a mother in law that does not fit the stereo type – you are blessed!
Yes, it is easy to overlook folks, but so nice when we can take a minute to send them a note to let them know we are not overlooking them!
I would send a card to my mom. Since she moved to Minnesota 8 years ago I have only seen her once. We talk a lot, but sending a card it such a nice way of saying, “I’m thinking of you.”
I would send cards to the mothers of multiples in our playgroup who have supported me through the laughter and tears of raising my “pair and a spare” thus far through the past 4 years!!! I couldn’t do it without them. Also, my kiddies grandparents who have also given so much of themselves and have been an integral part of our family.
I would send a card to Millie who is like a part of my family. She is going through some tough times. Her nephew died last week her beat friend is in a nursing home and no one seems to care about Millie. Susan
Susan,
I’d send a card to my husband, Vernon Scott, my sister in-law, Sharon Scott – Piper, and my best friend, Charron Thomas. On May 6, 2008 we got legal custody of 10mo identical twin baby girls who were in severe need. My mother in-law, who was more like a mother to me, was hospitalized at the time and she would ask every day if we had the twins yet. We were able to tell her yes before she passed away unexpectedly on the 8th. My father in-law passed away unexpectedly passed away 10 days later. We jokingly say that “he was chasing mom into heaven before the pearly gates were closed.” My mother in-law was uninsured and my father in-law was under-insured. We got the twins during a frantic call saying, “come get them. I’m broken down on the side of the road and I just can’t do this anymore.” Thank God because Louisiana Child Services refused to assist us, no matter who called. Anyway, that day we were challenged with going to the store and buying 2 of EVERYTHING that a baby needs. Can you say, Oh my God! My sister in-law, although in mourning, as were we, was the biggest help there was. Although she could not help with any of this financially, she gave of her time while we checked out child care centers, home sitters, made doctor appointments to begin the road to getting them back to health. My best friend was there in person or by phone, praying with me every day! I had just graduated from LSU Law School, passed the bar, and was sworn in at the end of 2007. So, I was just starting a new career…a new private practice…working for myself, something I had never done (small attorney position with the State until I could grow my practice.) And I was dog tired. More recently, I fell on the floor,in a puddle of water, in the restroom at work – State Job. I have been dealing with 3 herniated discs in my neck, 4 herniated and bulging discs in my lower back and a severe sprain to my left wrist. This occurred on 2/28/2010 and I am still off on Worker’s Compensation, prohibited from working my legal practice, since the doctors have listed me as temporarily, totally disabled and still suffering considerable pain. I suffer an exorbitant amount of stress due to the fact that we can no longer bat down the humongous debt that came from the burials, custody and subsequent adoption due to the decrease in pay from the State and loss of income from my small private practice. But, my sister in-law, who is a beautician, gets the twins every Sunday afternoon. When we pick them up, she has combed their hair and given them their bath, so we only have to put them to bed after story and prayer time. My best friend is still praying with me. But best of all, my husband of 18 1/2 years is still here, not going anywhere, unless God calls him home, and reminds me everyday that things will get better, I will get better, We will be better, if we just keep our faith in God. He just keeps soldiering on. So, for many different reasons, I’d mail cards to them. Thank you.
I have several online friends, wonderful Christian women who encourage me online daily and I’d love to be able to encourage them IRL even if I can see them daily. So I think I’d send cards to them. I’d also send cards to an old friend that I rarely see these days just to give her some encouragement.
My husband and I just sent two sympathy cards to friends who have recently had their spouse and mother pass away. I want to send cards to my friends from college to keep in touch.
There are several folks that I would send cards to ~ including a great friend and someone who is grieving. Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity!!!!
I live in a different state than many of my friends and family members, so I can think of dozens of people I’d like to send a card to. I tend to think the art of handwritten note/letter/card is getting lost with the instant gratification of technology, but it means so much when someone deliberately reaches out to encourage you with pen and paper. Thanks for the giveaway!
Cara @ WhimsySmitten would love for you to read….In which I curse at God and call you a hopeless murderer.
Sooo true!! Thank you for the encouragement!! Such a long list of dear ones to send a special card to!
A friend of my mom’s (who also happens to have been my 2nd grade teacher) just lost her husband between the holidays. I know she’s devastated and a Day Spring card would be a small way to brighten her day.
I have cards right now on my desk to mail tomorrow — one offering words of encouragement to a friend who had surgery a week ago and is finding her recovery to be very slow; two others to my cousin and aunt and uncle with words of sympathy over the loss of a family member.
I agree, a card in the mail touches the heart differently. I have many that I save to read again.
I would send a crd to my mom. We don’t talk often and it USA perfect way to tell her what an amazing person she is!
I’d send one to my Mom. She got a difficult phone call yesterday that upset her. A card in the mail would be a comfort, even several days later!
Kelly would love for you to read….I Won an Herb DVD!
I’d send a card to my two daugthers to just let them know how important they are to me and how much I love them. I’d send a card to my amazing husband to let him know how much I appreciate him and how Blessed I am to have him. I’d also send a card to the amazing Godly women in my life…my friends…who lift me up and encourage me and continue to help me grow in my relationship with Christ.
~Bobbie
Susan, Thank you, yet again, for reminding us of this lost gift of encouragement. I love giving and receiving snail mail cards. I appreciate the reminder.
I would send one to my Granny- she’s a beautiful person. Think I’ll do that today! Thanks!
Susan,
First of all, thank you for offering this wonderful gift that we can share with our loved ones.
Secondly, I would send a card to my Pastor, who has cancer and is also leaving our church for health reasons the end of this month. I would also send a card to my dear friends, Denise, Rebekah, Christi, Mariah, Sally, Marie and to my daughter Natalie. All of which are in need of extra love and prayers. I know a card would help to lighten thier loads, even if just for a small time.
We all need love and encouragement!
Thank you so much for the wonderful things you say and post on here. I find myself coming to your website more and more!
Blessings,
Nancy
I am glad you find helpful tips here Nancy – it makes me feel really good knowing that.
I agree with you. Nothing beats receiving cards. I prefer it since there is a personal touch that nothing else can beat.
Norman would love for you to read….learn and master photography reviews
It so true about this one. I prefer to give a card to my GrandPA and MA. This one will cheer them up. Thank you for the great encouragement!
Kelly would love for you to read….How To Get A Girl To Like You
I would send a card to my Mom today! She’s such a sweetheart to me!
I would send a card to my best friend, letting her know I still love her and think of her often, eventhough have been consumed with my infant!
I would love to send a card to my best friend, who lives across the country and whom I miss greatly!!!
I would send a card to my grandmother who lives far away and, due to failing health, can not travel the distance to visit.
My husband grandma is in my thougts today. Such a kind loveing lady. She has been having some rough days and sending her a card would make her day. I keep blank note cards on hand and have my little ones decorate them to send to friends and family. The kiddos love it and so do the recievers!
I would like to win this prize because I feel that connecting with others is very important. Reaching out to others allows them to reach out to you as well, making the world small once again.
I feel that God has blessed me with some wonderful mommy friends some stay at home some work. I love being able to send a quick card with some if Gods word attached as an encouragement and reminder if how blessed Iam to have them in my life. Reminding them about the hope we have I pray that it is a little piece of my heart.
I need to send a card to my grandma.