GUESS WHO IS RECEIVING MAIL?

GUESS WHO IS RECEIVING MAIL?

Do you know your mailman or mail gal?   Perhaps many of you do, but there are some of you who may never have had the opportunity of ever seeing them, because you live in a condo or an apartment where your paths never cross.

Some years ago I was a care-giver for my dear Mom.  The caring routine keep me busy and focused.  It was my “joy” to have this opportunity.  But one day I was really missing my contact with others outside of our home.

In my quiet time with the Lord that day, I was sharing with Him that I missed the social and relational time with others.  I informed Him that with my care-giving responsibility there seemed to be no one else that I got to talk with or to see.   It didn’t take Him long to inform me that I had “overlooked an obvious opportunity.”

In fact the opportunity was a daily one……the lady who delivered our mail every morning.   She wouldn’t know me if I was on the street, I thought.  How in the world would I make contact with her?

God has His ways, and they aren’t complicated.  “Write her one sentence on a piece of paper and attach the note to a nice large piece of banana bread.”   By now I should recognize His promptings through the language of food; but I’m still slow in this department of spiritual intuition.

My first thought was, do you think this is appropriate?  Maybe she doesn’t like banana bread.  Will she think I’m nuts distributing food on her route?   I guess if she doesn’t like it, she can always leave it in the mailbox.  I’m aware that in these days it’s risky to trust a stranger.   There may be policies at the local post office that would prevent her from “sampling sweets out of a mailbox.” And my final thought (although this didn’t cut any ice with the Lord) was, we don’t know each other.  By now you can imagine the Lord’s comment back to me.   “She’ll know you better after you give her the banana bread.”

I followed the Lord’s suggestion.   If I hadn’t, I would have missed out on the joy and the subsequent relationship that was to follow.

All morning I was camped out by the front window waiting for my mail gal’s arrival.  She opened the box, and seemingly looked quite surprised.  It only took a moment for her hand to reach into the mailbox and remove “mail and a package….for her!”   She peeked up to notice me in the window, and a large warm smile appeared on her face from ear to ear.  We waved to each other and that was the beginning of a lovely, daily “hello relationship.”  

Often she would stop and bring packages to my door and we’d chat for a few minutes.  In future days, whenever I’d be outside working in the yard, I would try and make sure it was around the time when I know she would appear….just to say hello her way.   This turned out to be a daily social breath of fresh air for me.

Each day I looked forward to her wave, or her smile as she popped our bills and letters into our box.    This went on for almost a year.

Often through the month I’d leave banana bread or cookies in the mailbox for her.   She later told me that when she’d have a day off, that she’d let her replacement carrier know of “unexpected treats,” and that they were safe to eat. 

It was over a year later that a new mail gal came to deliver our mail.  I noticed this for a few days.  And then one day I happened to be outside delivering another piece of banana bread in the box, when along came the replacement mail gal.   She stopped to tell me that the other gal would not be delivering mail for a while.   She informed me that she was on a leave-of-absence due to the loss of her son.  Her son had taken his life.   My heart sank.

I was able to get her home address from her substitute and I wrote her a short note in a nice card.   Weeks later she reappeared on our route and she came to my door and with tears, shared about her loss.   I told her I would be praying for her and her family.

There was nothing I could “do” ….. but I could let her know I cared; and that I cared enough to write a wee note.

Have you ever written a “thank you note” to “your” mailman or mail gal?  They deliver our mail and, seldom do they receive a note or expression of appreciation from us.  You’ll be amazed at what God can do with just a note of encouragement.    There were times when I’d just write “thinking of you, and appreciating your service on our behalf.”   Please don’t be concerned that your “hello” must appear on a nice card.  Sometimes I just use a serviette/napkin or a plain piece of paper.

Her service was “important.”  Her service was “expected.”  I was certainly aware of that, but I wasn’t up-to-speed in my consideration of her or of what she might experience during the course of her day.  

Let’s agree that driving a postal van, or many times walking up and down a street to place papers and mail in everyone’s mailbox isn’t the most thrilling of occupations.   But, (and that’s a big word) it’s an “important service” to everyone.  God has designed each person in our world to help others through various means by occupations, and no job is any more important than another.  Each of us has “something to offer others,” and God is teaching me that my focus is to be on the appreciation of the services and the kindness that others bring my way.

If you or I were delivering mail, wouldn’t we find it more joyful if we were surprised now and then with a treat or word of appreciation?  If we’re to “light up” our world by the “Light of the world within us,” I suggest that we trim our wicks or turn up the wattage so that we can see more clearly those whose practical services touch our lives on a regular basis.  

If your box is large enough for a little “goodie”….try attaching a note to your packaged treat and see what happens.  

                    Your social life may gain one lovely addition.