Sometimes we wait for love notes. Why wait? Slip in one for someone else and your soul will be fed.
I didn’t think I’d ever get one.
But, one day, in between 3rd period Biology class and 4th period English class, I opened my squeaky, junior high yellow locker and out tumbled a piece of folded notebook paper.
It was a love note.
From a secret admirer.
For a moment, I thought it was from him.
Maybe? Could it be?
Squeal! ….
I hugged the letter against my beating heart and tucked it into the plastic pocket of my Trapper Keeper.
There’s nothing more soul filling than receiving a love note.
Except giving one.
Amazing Ways
You know when Jesus says, Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Luke 6:31)?
I think of things that feed my soul.
I think of love notes.
A love note is one of the most amazing ways to fill a person’s soul.
It’s a gift (free too!).
It’s words of affirmation (it’s very hard to forget a love note).
It’s an act of service (writing takes time!).
It’s spending quality time (which inevitably happens after someone receives your gift).
If you find yourself busy — feeling life is just a long list of chores — take a moment to think of someone you can splurge encouragement on.
Not because they deserve it.
Not because you “should” do it.
Do it because you can.
Grace to Breathe
Write a love note.
~ A simple sentence or two (this is key if you’re going to actually do it).
~ Use whatever paper, post-it, notepaper, memo pad, that is within your reach.
~ Send it in the mail or tuck it secretly somewhere for that someone to find.
~ Or email a free e-card if you don’t have the address easily retrievable.
The grace you gave yourself, in order to write that note for someone else, will breathe God’s peace and joy in you.
— Not because you did something “good”,
— But because God sees what you do in secret
— And He loves to give to you in secret too!
Kick Start
Here are some ideas to kick start your brainstorm of Ways To Slip In a Love Note:
1. On a post-it note: Write “I love you TJ! – Mommy” with a heart and smiley face and slip in in your child’s lunch box.
2. Tear a page from your memo note hanging on your fridge and write “I’m thinking of you.” and stuff it in your hubby’s wallet (while he’s getting ready for work).
3. Pick up your roomate’s favorite snack (M&M’s?) as you check-out and leave a “just for you” note on her pillow.
4. Browse an e-card and just email your friend a silly, funny card and just say hi.
5. Find a random card in your unused card stash and send an anonymous note of thanks or encouragement to your small group leader or someone who serves in the nursery.
6. Text your friend, child, or spouse and say “Miss you. Wish I was having a coffee with you.”
7. Stop by the cafe and grab a pastry — or better yet, if you’re in the mood — make a rice krispy and give it to a friend with a note “Just because”.
…
Now before you start turning this brainstorm list into a check list — stop.
Pick ONE idea that just catches your heart. Makes you smile.
That’s the one I encourage you to try.
Words have the power to lift up or bring down.
Let’s feed our soul by giving it a love note work out.
It’ll build up a hearty appetite for some lovin’ words from Jesus, who will be slipping in notes from His heart to you too.
“Give your gifts in private,
and your Father, who sees everything,
will reward you.”
~ Jesus (Matthew 6:4)
~~~~~
As for who sent me that love note?
It wasn’t him.
Three decades later, I finally did open a love note that came from the one I dreamed of, the one I call Hubby.
But, that’s another story.
For another day.
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What kind of love note do you long to receive?
It’s a great way to brainstorm ways to slip in a love note and bless people in your life.
Pull up a chair. I love company and enjoy hearing your thoughts. Click to share a comment.
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~~~~~
Photo credit: missboballi via Photobucket.
15 Comments
Bonnie, what a great way to start a Friday….thinking about who I can surprise with a love note today….This week I received one….a folded sheet from my grocery list pad. The outer fold read, “Know what?”, and the inner fold simply, “I love you!”. It sat on an entire basket of FRESHLY FOLDED LAUNDRY on a morning when the week loomed large and burdensome, and MY hubby knew I would need a little love…to quote you, “SQUEAL”!!! Sending this along in case anyone wants to add “sprinkles and a cherry” to that love note with a simple, simple act of service, like my God-given husband blessed me with!
Love to all you sisters-in-our-faith who are reading this today!
Dear Bonnie, I love receiving love notes. They have come in the form of appreciation. Today I long to receive a love note from my children.. grandchildren. Ultimately, I long to receive a love note from the lover of my soul, king Jesus. And I do… His Word is a love note to me. Every time I read His Word and something just jumps out at me I know He is speaking to me. Imagine that! Elohim is speaking to me. “What can separate me from the love of God…”
I have a friend whose 9 year old son recently relapsed with a brain tumor. And even though my own son battled cancer, I had a hard time finding words of comfort to offer her. Everything sounded empty and shallow against the horror she is facing.
I asked God to give me something meaningful to say or do for my friend. It came in the form of a song which I quickly found on youtube. It was a beautiful slideshow of pictures accompanied by the song “Blessings”, by Laura Story. I sent it off in an email to her and thanked Him in advance for that “love note” opportunity.
I have another new friend who is facing the loss of her house and bankruptcy. Today’s topic reminds me that a simple note of love and concern and hope needs to find its’ way from my pen to her mailbox. It seems like such an insignificant act, but I know it will make her smile.
That is GRACE to BREATH! It is something that can be done when all of life seems so overwhelming. I love you friend. I appreciate your words that seem to come straight from God to my heart. Getting off here to go do one now for my hubby. 🙂
I love this idea, Bonnie! And the beauty of it is that it is so easy and quick. In our high-paced, crazy-busy lifestyle, this is just what we need to love on each other. Thanks for the inspiration–I’m off to send a love note!
I have always agreed with the idea of encouragement by way of words, especially in notes or cards to people. It helps me to sort out my gratitude toward others, to put it on paper. It digs down deep into my heart to bring out elegant words or splendor, with true authenticity about someone’s unique qualities. It ends up not only blessing the receiver because of its deep and genuine words of affirmation, but also brings joy to the giver because it fulfills a true sense of our purpose. It is more blessed to give!
I have unfortunately, recently become indifferent about the gift of written words that God has given to me. I have not been using the gift, for reasons I don’t always understand. I know I have fallen into the trap of thinking it doesn’t matter, or I am engulfed with my own problems swirling around me. My prayer is that I once again pick up the brush that God has put in my hand, and use it for His glory.
I LOVE writing words of encouragement to others, and I especially love how it feeds my soul (so true!). Before I go on a trip for work, I write a love note to my son and leave it on his pillow (along with two stones–“love” and “hug”). And I leave him notes in his lunch box sometimes, too. As for my groom, I keep a journal and have started to leave notes for him in there. Giving is the best way to receive! For. Sure.
Such a good idea. One of my favorite things to do when my husband goes on travel is to tuck little notes in his luggage. Sometimes they’re love notes, and sometimes I do little cards from our cats. I love hearing from him after he’s found the goodies!
This post made me smile! I usually go to bed before my husband does. But sometimes, I make sure to stay up later than him. I grab a dry erase marker on my way upstairs and write a note on the bathroom mirror. That way, it’s waiting for him when he wakes up.
I also put notes in his car, so he sees it as he’s leaving for work. I’ve learned that post-its stuck to the steering wheel or dashboard work best.
There is something incredibly special about a love-note! I think I will be writing up a note or too! Thanks, Bonnie! 🙂
We learnt about the act of righteousness (Matthew 6:1-4) during our multicultural team workshop today and we discussed it briefly in the context of culture :).
It’s refreshing to read your blog today and thank you for the reminder and ideas :o).
I Ask …Seek…Knock God for discernment for us to think of idea/way on how to share the importance of Personal Relationship with Jesus & Holy Living especially in the area of Witnessing in a loving way yet be sensitive to their culture.
The Love note that I am looking forward to receive one day in God’s perfect timing => A union of Saints’ soul with Christ.
This says it all “If you find yourself busy — feeling life is just a long list of chores – take a moment to think of someone you can splurge encouragement on.”.
Haven’t left love notes in awhile. Think I’ll use my dry erase pen to leave a note for the family on the upstairs mirror. Hmm, what to write…
sending a big hug to you for this one Bonnie.
The best way to receive love is to give it away! What a great list of ideas!
I love how you wrote:
“Let’s feed our soul by giving it a love note work out.”
I have to say that your previous post on feeding our soul really touched me and got me thinking Bonnie. And now this one is perfect to read to go one step further. How often do we give to others what we crave ourselves?
I found the cutest photo of two little toddlers on the internet. One of them was holding the other and telling them that they matter and are loved. That touched my heart!
I sent the photo to my husband just before I left to go out of town to visit my family in FL. Greg called me and was so touched by that photo I emailed to him. He said it reminded him of the two of us. We often feel like little children inside. 🙂 Upon returning home, he had printed it out and had it on the refrigerator so we could both see it and be reminded that we matter and are loved. Yes, love notes are so important and can touch people in ways we never anticipate.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
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