Friday, August 26, 2022

Nouwen Meditation: The Beauty of Letter Writing

Now & Then Podcast
If you’re a professional or at-home caregiver, you likely value and appreciate Susan Martins Miller’s wonderful Henri Nouwen-inspired devotional Hope for Caregivers. Ms. Martins Miller joins us on Henri Nouwen, Now & Then to talk about the wisdom, grace, and encouragement that Nouwen offers caregivers.

DAILY MEDITATION | AUGUST 25, 2022
The Beauty of Letter Writing
As I was writing letters today, I realized that writing letters is a much more intimate way of communicating than making phone calls. It may sound strange, but I often feel closer to friends I write than to friends I speak with by phone.

When I write I think deeply about my friends, I pray for them, I tell them my emotions and feelings. I reflect on our relationship, and I dwell with them in a very personal way. Over the past few months I have come to enjoy letter writing more and more. In the beginning it seemed like a heavy burden, but now it is a relaxing time of the day. It feels like interrupting work for a conversation with a friend.

The beauty of letter writing is that it deepens friendships and makes them more real. I have also discovered that letter writing makes me pray more concretely for my friends. Early in the morning I spend a little time praying for each person to whom I have written and promised my prayers.

Today I feel surrounded by the friends I am writing to and praying for. Our love for each other is very concrete and life giving. Thank God for letters, for those who send them, and for those who receive them.
"Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us...”

LUKE 1:1 (NIV)
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