Over the last twenty years there has been a
rapid increase in communication, mostly digital in nature. While this has made
it faster, more convenient, and allowed communication across the globe,
virtually instantly, it has come at the expense of the immense value of
communication on paper. I’d like to have you consider some thoughts as to how
written communication, on paper, can be of even greater impact than an email,
an SMS text message, a tweet, Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat message.
Hand
written notes – Much like a text message or tweet in
content, the value here is that it feels more personal to the receiver of the
note. As poor as your handwriting may be, there is no comparison to the impact
of such a note when it conveys your heart, your thoughts, and your prayers for
the recipient. What’s more, it will likely be kept, posted on a wall, folded
into a book, or used to hold a place in a Bible. Finding proper occasion for
such notes is helpful. I use them often to congratulate someone on an
accomplishment, at the end of a season or a career to thank a player or coach,
in moments of failure or loss to share comfort, assurance, and loyalty to those
feeling lonely and cut off.
Game Day
letters – I have used this form of communication for
twenty years. With many of the teams I serve I am afforded the opportunity to
speak with some of the players and coaches, sometimes with 100% of the team and
coaching staff. While speaking is of tremendous value, it is incomplete. I also
take advantage of the opportunity and provide a game day devotional thought, in
letter form, for those attending chapel or for the coaching staff to read aloud
pregame. I have been stunned by how many of our players tell me that they save
these letters, keep them throughout their careers, refer to them on occasion,
post them in their lockers, or even put them in a binder. Many of them find
their way to the trash bin, but it’s worth it for the ones whose hearts are touched
by the written word.
Books – Now that
books are not only available in paper and ink, but also formatted for your electronic
tablet, Nook, or even your smart phone, books are more important than ever. I have
consumed books in both forms over the last several years, but always prefer
paper and ink books. They make it simpler for me to highlight, to make notes,
to dog ear pages, and most importantly to share with others. When I find a book
that is of particular value, I will share my copy with others, I will buy a
copy for the coach or athlete, or I’ll buy a lot of copies to give away at
coaches clinics, for use in small group meetings, or other venues. Books are
good. Read some. Give some away. Enrich others’ lives.
Prayers – Across
my years of service as a sport chaplain, few things have had the impact of
writing down what I was praying for a person and then handing that written
prayer to the person for whom I was praying. When we tell someone, “I’m praying
for you,” it can seem terribly remote and detached from their experience of the
moment. When we take the time, the care, the intentionality, to write down
exactly what we are praying, it speaks to their hearts in a unique way. It also
informs them as to how to pray for themselves. It encourages and strengthens
them to trust God and builds relationship with us.
Please send text messages, tweet someone, send
a Facebook note or an email, but do not neglect the opportunity to make a
uniquely powerful connection with others by communicating on paper. The lasting
value of such notes are posted all over the filing cabinet at my office and are
kept as treasures in my home.
