Write Them Down

The scriptures, the prayers, the sermon notes, and the letters.

Write them down because one day someone is going to need them.

When I first began my teaching career, I yearned for my grandma’s spiritual advice.

My grandma taught for 31 years. She gave me my first Bible and fervently prayed for me. Her actions taught me how to love and serve like Jesus.

I wanted to talk to her. I longed for her wisdom and guidance. Even though my grandma was battling Dementia, she was there for me on a night I really needed her. 

I was a newlywed. My belongings were still in boxes at the time. I couldn’t sleep and I was feeling discouraged. I decided to go to the room with all of the boxes that needed to be unpacked.

My heart was searching for something my mind wasn’t sure of. 

I finally found it. 

I found the Bible. Not the one my grandma gave me, but one of hers. One I’m sure she depended on, especially during nights like the one I was having.

I opened the Bible to a page with a small yellow sheet of paper. Written on it was the scripture, Philippians 2:14-15.

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

God helped my grandma point me to the scripture I needed to read. 

She was able to be there for me because she wrote it down. I will cherish that small yellow sheet of paper with her handwriting on it.

It’s the reason I write down things today. It’s why I buy yet another journal every time I stop in TJ Max.

I want my son and my future children and grandchildren to be able to read my notes. I want them to experience the same feelings I have when I read my grandma’s words.

On the shelf next to my bed, I have a letter she wrote my granddad when he passed away. 

I imagine my grandma sitting at her kitchen table as she wrote everything she wanted to say to the husband she spent 62 beautiful years with. 

At the end of the letter my grandma wrote, “I know you are with the Lord and his host of angels, so I will keep the home fires burning until we meet again in heaven.” 

Tears of joy swell up in my eyes each time I read that sweet letter, knowing my grandparents have met again in heaven.

I’m sure she never imagined that letter would serve as her granddaughter’s everyday reminder of a Christ centered marriage. 

But it does, all because she wrote it down.

On the day of my grandma’s funeral, my daily notification on my Bible App went off. I bet you can’t guess what scripture popped up.

The same one she wrote on that small yellow sheet of paper.

I encourage you to write. You never know how your words will encourage someone in the future.