I remember years ago my mom told me that my grandpa used to write notes, aka love letters, to my grandma when they first started courting. He was two years older than her and was a school teacher in Wright Township, Greene County, Indiana from 1913 to 1920. Although she didn’t attend school during this time as she only completed an 8th grade education, which was very common in the early 1900’s.

To the best of my recollection my mom told me that grandma told her that grandpa would send handwritten notes home to her via one of his students who was also her neighbor, and she’d reply back to him the same way.

Well!

Those notes must have been very sweet, as they fell in love and got married in 1915.

My grandma was 19 years old and my grandpa was 21 at the time of their marriage. They were blessed with four children, David, Sarah, Naomi, and Ralph. My mom, who later changed her name to Sara, was their second child.

My grandparents were married just short of 54 years when my grandpa passed away in November 1969. My grandma survived him by 16 years and joined him in heaven in November 1985. They were both strong Christians and left a big impression in my life by the way they lived their life and by the way they loved with the love of Christ.

I recently saw an article that centered around a box of old love letters, and it sparked this old memory about my grandparents.

I thought, how sweet it would be to have some of their old love letters.

So I asked my siblings and a couple of my cousins if they happened to recall or actually have any of those letters, and unfortunately they do not, so my faint memories will have to suffice.

I do actually have a box of some old letters, post cards, and memorabilia from my early junior high days. Most of the letters were from my 7th grade best friend Donita, who moved away to Georgia between our 7th and 8th grade years of school.

I guess hand written notes and love letters are a thing of the past now. Technology has definitely brought us some great advances and conveniences but perhaps has also forever changed the landscape of how we express our feelings and how we communicate with each other.

In fact, I believe texting has become the most preferred form of communication, surpassing in-person and verbal communication. The pros include convenience and time efficiency, but I believe the cons far outweigh the pros. Some of the cons include being misunderstood, texting the wrong person by mistake, autocorrect mumble jumble, and missing out on the joy of in-person interaction.

And,

While I regret not having found any of those old notes of my grandpa and grandma’s, I do have several copies of what Billy Graham once referred to as God’s “love letters” to us, The Bible:

“It is there He tells us not only that He loves us, but shows us what He has done to demonstrate His love. It also tells us how we should live, because God knows what is best for us and He wants us to experience it. Never forget: The Bible is God’s Word, given to us so we can know and follow Him.” #BillyGraham

However,

According to a quick internet search, the Baptist Press for example, states that “while the average home in America has three or four bibles in it, more than half of Americas read little or none of the Bible. Less than a quarter of those who have ever read a Bible have a systematic plan for reading Scripture each day. And a third of Americans never pick it up on their own.”

As for me, since becoming a Christian, I’ve read through the Bible three times, studied the gospels several times, done various Bible studies, either in a group setting or on my own. This year I started something new by first listening to an audio Bible app on my phone and then reading the corresponding chapter in my Bible. I then study the Bible notes. My goal has been to do this daily. I haven’t always met my goal but I do most days. This type of study does take a lot longer though, but that’s ok. It’ll take me a lot longer than just one year, probably more like three years, but that’s just fine.

I also haven’t always studied my Bible. There’s been more times than I care to remember when I haven’t been actively studying my Bible in one way or another. But, I decided a while back that there’s no good reason why a Christian should not actively be in some type of Bible study.

So,

I think the point I want to make is that reading and studying the Bible is a huge part of being a Christian. It’s one of the best ways for Christians to know Him and to know His will in our lives. It’s rich in meaning, instructions, and warnings. It also helps us make sense of some of the things we see going on in the world today. No matter how dark the days may seem, His word assures us that we, who are called by His name, have a hope and a future in Him.

So, the Bible really is like a collection of

“love letters”

About,

the amazing love of God,

the promises of God,

the miracles of Jesus,

the sinfulness of man,

God’s plan of salvation,

blessings for those who obey Him,

and,

curses for those who do not.

The Bible also helps us to know that,

God is sovereign,

God is good,

God is always to be trusted,

and so much more.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

So, if you’re a Christian and you’re not actively involved in some type of Bible study, maybe it’s time to ask yourself why not. Or better still, ask God. 🙏🏻

If you’re not a Christian, why not carve out some time to read the Bible for a few minutes each day? It’s God’s love letters to you.