3 Ways to Maximize Your Written Words—They’re Doing the Heavy Lifting

“The less we interact face-to-face, the more our written communications have to do the heavy lifting.”
– Jennifer Aaker

The In-Person Losses

I had put it off for days.

Two women I know, friends of my in-laws, had both recently lost their husbands to COVID. After multiple years of marriage, these were heavy losses. Neither were able to hold funeral services.

I wanted them to know we were praying for them as they grieved. But it required effort on my part. I needed to go to the store for sympathy cards. I needed to make phone calls to get their home addresses. I needed to chase down postage stamps, not to mention collect my thoughts and write out a message.

So I kept delaying.

The past twelve months have left us hungry for in-person conversations. We miss hugging each other and laughing together and even the occasional run-in conversations in the church parking lot.

Yes, we can still make phone calls and hear each other’s voices. And yes, we can even see each other on screens and chat. But we still long for more connection.

But until we’re able to resume more normalcy, our words minus our bodies will have to continue pulling double-duty. Our words are doing some heavy lifting.

If there is ever a moment in our modern era for Christians to use our written words generously, this is the time.

3 Ways to Maximize Written Words

How can we maximize the use of our written words? How can we pack them full of love and meaning?

1. Put time into your words

Writing out words of sympathy or love or just general hello’s requires our time. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but however quickly you write, writing words is still slower than speaking them.

Maybe that’s a reason they’re so valued by the recipient though. When someone receives a written message from you, they understand that you gave your time to make it happen.

Think about how long it took the scribes of our scriptures to write out even one book of our Bible, one stroke at a time, one quill and drop of ink at a time. But aren’t we glad they gave their time to do so.

Spending time writing down words is a loving investment.

“See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.”
Galatians 6:11

2. Pack your words with thoughtfulness

Not only is it physically effortful to write out words, it also requires us to think. Perhaps we can fly by the seat of our pants when we’re in conversation with someone, but when we are writing out a message by hand, our words feel heavier. They require more thought, more intention.

Because our written words last longer, we want them to mean more.

If you’re received a letter from a deployed spouse or a hand-written letter from a grandchild, you don’t read it only once. You read it again and again, and delight in each word. You value seeing the thoughts of your loved one.

As we write our words, let’s give them the proper heart and attention they deserve. They will be special to the receiver, whether they are written in cursive on beautiful stationary or typed on an iphone and sent as a text. The thought still matters.

Write what is important. Write about what matters most.

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24

3. Weight your words with personality

Look back at the last five texts or emails you sent. How much of your personality is there?

Often when we send off a quick email, we stick to the basics: Can’t do it; yes, we’re available; thanks for the info. And if it’s a strictly work relationship, that’s appropriate.

But when our written words are going to someone we care about, let’s care about adding an extra touch. Sharing a bit of our personality—maybe a spot of humor or a shared past memory—will bring a smile to our receiver.

When the apostle Paul was writing letters to churches and individuals known in our New Testament, he included more than just the facts. We see tidbits of his personality too: bring me my coat and books; I yearn for you all; I prayed three times for the Lord to remove this thorn. These personal touches help us to know Paul.

When we get personal with our written words, we are strengthening the bonds of our relationships, too.

Sharing our written words are intentional acts of authenticity, vulnerability, and love.

“I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.”
2 Thessalonians 3:17

God Blesses Their Arrival

I finally stopped delaying and bought, wrote, and mailed the sympathy cards to our two women friends. Having been on the receiving end of sympathy cards, I know they matter.

What I didn’t expect was the sweet notes we received back.

Both their cards included the traditional “thank you for thinking of us,” but they also each contained a touch of their personality and a glimpse into their personal pain.

The first card included this:

“I miss him so much and still can’t believe he is gone. He was everything to me and the family.”

And from the second friend:

“He loved to read and learn. We appreciate you remembering him with a library donation. It means so much for these difficult times.”

Their personal words made me cry. But they also made me feel included in their journey. And extra motivated to continue praying for them in the weeks ahead.

I’ve read both their cards several times since receiving them. I’ve kept them on my dresser as a reminder to pray.

Written words can do the heavy lifting of extending love in a physically-distanced year. Give them the time, thoughtfulness, and personality they deserve.

Write them down and send them away.

God will bless them in their arrival.

Have you texted or emailed anyone today? Do you still send “real” mail? Share your thoughts in the comments.