Our Stories
Love Letters
By Kelly Humphreys | posted 10/01/2009
"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17)
I was recently going through a box of old cards and letters and came across a letter written 20 years ago by my grandfather to me a few years before he passed away. My grandmother had died a year or so before. It was a friendly letter, chock-full of things he was doing, like riding horses, haying, hauling manure, spending time at his favorite coffee shop (where a man had recently guessed his age at 55), and a funny incident involving his goats getting out. Several of his goats, including his billy goat, had gotten through the fence to the neighbor’s property. My grandpa went out there with his dog to herd them back in. The other goats went in willingly but the billy goat was stubborn. So the neighbor dog got into the action and the two dogs started chasing the billy around the pasture. Finally the billy goat went to the one place he thought would give him protection from the dogs - my grandpa. The goat ran right to him and knocked him over, landing on top of him. The dogs surrounded them and kept him there. My grandfather had to holler for help from his son, who came out to rescue him. "The only thing hurt was my pride," said my grandpa. My grandfather concluded the letter, saying that he loved me, missed me and was praying for me. He was almost 88.
His letter was a grandfatherly love letter to me ... but also a love letter from God, back then and now. It got me to thinking about other love letters from God in my life. I include in that "traditional" love letters from my husband, usually in funny cards with a heartfelt message or poem he would write, and then other things like pictures and letters from our kids over the years. "You are the best mommy in the world." "I love you so much." "Here’s a coupon for a 30-minute foot rub." Definitely love letters!
God also sends me love letters in sunsets, tall evergreen trees, green pastures I can see from my backyard, a hug from a child, a smile from a teenager, a quiet moment where I still my thoughts, prayer, rain, sunshine, a laugh with my friends, my dog resting his head on my lap, or the other day, linking arms with my husband as we strolled through the downtown mall on our weekly Sabbath day.
One of the love letters that I cherish most is God’s story, His word. How astonishing is it that not only did God make us, love us, redeem us through His Son, give us His Spirit, but He also has given us a written Word from Him? Words we can count on. Words of life. Words that point to Him. Amazing. Because I was reading Grandpa’s letter, I thought of horses and donkeys in the Bible. God’s love pours out to me even in the silly story of Balaam’s donkey, who scolded his master after Balaam was beating him (because God cares whether or not Balaam the prophet would bless or curse God’s people). His love practically dances off the page when Jesus is riding a lowly colt into Jerusalem and people are yelling, "Hosanna!" throwing palm leaves and their own coats down so the colt wouldn’t have to step on the ground, to honor Jesus. And when Love wins at the end, Jesus is the Rider of a magnificent white horse, its Rider being Faithful and True. (The Bible passages referenced above can be found in Numbers 22, Luke 19, and Revelation 19.)
My children never got to meet their great-grandfather. They would really love this man and he would be so proud of them. I can’t wait to introduce them to him.
God’s love letters are everywhere. What are some love letters from God in your life? Try to see them this week.
Kelly can be reached via email.
