Love Notes From God

Texted or handwritten love notes –

what’s your pick?

Are you a note-writer? I am forever using Post-It notes for lists, I love you’s, and more. I always enjoy receiving something handwritten in the mail and try to send a card or little note to encourage others when possible. It is so much easier to send a note of encouragement or love note by text these days, but I have to say that no one really treasures those as much as hand-written love notes. When my husband and I were dating, we sent each other handwritten love notes. I saved all of his notes to me, and equally important, He saved all of mine. The photo below shows a small smattering of our letters over the years, and most of these were from while we are dating. I have more boxes tucked away in a treasured place in our home.  These are some of the most valuable treasures I own. No text can compare with those love notes. But on the other hand, an I love you by text can mean so much!

I found a love note last week.

Monday is trash day in our neighborhood, and I had the privilege of taking out our two large containers of trash to the edge of our driveway the other morning. On my way back, I spotted something heart-shaped in the grass that intrigued me. It’s November and of course, the leaves are falling from the trees, which is always such a beautiful display. I looked down and saw some magnolia leaves that had fallen from our neighbor’s magnolia tree into our yard. One leaf was scattered in with the rest, but it was heart-shaped. I got to thinking, “Oh, look! It’s a love note from God!”

Our world is full of God’s love notes.

Now, you might be thinking, “Sharon, God did not create that leaf just for you, it could’ve blown into your neighbor’s yard! That leaf might’ve been a love note for your neighbor.” Well, yes that is true. It did grow on their tree and was probably in their yard for some period of time. But it happened to be in my yard when I saw it. There are blessings all around us at the same time, but are we all noticing them? God can bless both me and my neighbor at the same time, right? Don’t we share the sunset with our neighbors and people in our region?

Our world is full of love notes all over. From the setting sun, the beautiful flowers, the way the trees reach up towards heaven and declare His glory, my grandbaby’s beautiful blue eyes, the way my husband‘s whiskers grow on his strong chin… these are each love notes from God. Our Creator bestows these common graces on us to enjoy every day. Day-to-day activities and stresses seem to diminish the significance of these love notes. And then other days, God turns our attention toward His many graces on us to demonstrate His love, and we see these love notes.

Count your blessings.

I recently heard this quote and it really resonated with me, “One of the saddest consequences of the fall is the ever-diminishing sense of awe of common graces.” It’s Satan’s plan to detract us from God’s goodness, yet there is evidence of it everywhere.

Remember, that song, Count Your Many Blessings? There is wisdom in those words.

Use the printable here to jot down some of the blessings God brings to mind.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by. 

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end. 
Johnson Oatman, Jr. Baptist Hymnal, 1991

(Go ahead, sing the chorus)…
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

God sends us gentle reminders.

Sometimes these little notes are God’s gentle reminders that He is faithful in the everyday things – even in the little bitty things of our lives. At the same time, we are prone to look for big evidences of His power and might in our lives rather than notice His power in might all along the way in our day and lives. He is faithful in the big things in our lives, but He is also faithful in the little things. To put it another way, as you’re traveling throughout your day today – whatever you’re doing – notice the love notes from God. He might send a heart-shaped leaf to fall into your yard, but He may simply send you a little reminder of His faithfulness day today. And perhaps it might be a big thing. He might even send somebody your way to encourage you and share Scripture with you. Let me be that person first today.

Be encouraged!

Let this Scripture encourage your heart.

Psalm 36:7
How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 117:2
For His lovingkindness is great toward us, And the truth of the LORD is everlasting. Praise the LORD!

Sharon Fisher

Sharon Fisher holds a B.S. in Elementary Education and an M.A. in Elementary Education. She has 14 years of full time teaching experience in the elementary classroom, served as Curriculum Coordinator for Bob Jones Academy, and served as an elementary author for BJU Press. She has contributed to a variety of elementary educational materials and has presented workshops both nationally and internationally on a variety of elementary-level subjects and teaching methods. She currently writes a blog and is Social Media Coordinator and Curriculum Specialist for HomeWorks by Precept, a provider of excellent education products, including BJU Press. She is the mother of four grown sons, a grandmother to Ben, and has a passion for encouraging Christian educators and homeschool parents to teach children with excellence and with a biblical worldview.

www.schoolbygrace.com