If you were to stand at my house front, knock your gathered palm on the wood of my door, I’d welcome you in and lead you up the stairs littered with toys. I’d take you to the closet in my boys’ room, point upwards, and show you the wooden chest laid high on that top shelf, collecting layers of dust and who knows what else.
“There it is,” I’d say. “All my journals and all my letters.”
Then I’d point out the other boxes and bins, all stuffed with more letters from my youth until now. I’d walk you down the stairs to the room where my desk sits, and I’d open up drawers — the ones with postcards and envelopes shoved inside. I’d tell you to look at the wall in front of my desk to see the clippings of cards and the notes I’ve pinned up.
- One, from a friend who became family, reads: Dear Sissy, I miss you so dearly. Thank you so much for always sending a note…
- And another, from a childhood friend: We’re excited to have moved to a town that we hope to call home for a long time…
- And another, from my high school chorus teacher: Hello my wonderful friend, all is well up here…
- And another, from a fellow author and friend: Sweet Rachel, you have inspired me! I can’t wait for your book #2 ♥…
- Then, a note from my son, simply scribbled: To Mom…
After all this — showing you my stacks of cards and letters — I’d sit you down and tell you why I keep these words within my reach. Pinned on walls. Put up on the fridge. Stored in boxes and bins, saved from weeks and years ago and kept safe, forever in my heart.
As a child, I moved a few times. And, with that, I’d grown accustomed to missing people. I moved around the fifth grade and missed out on starting middle school with my best friends. Then I moved again at the end of middle school, leaving new friends and losing my place on the softball and tennis teams. I sought so desperately to cling to the ones I loved — writing letters was a way to hold the line of connection.
I wrote letters because I didn’t want to let go of the ones I loved. I wrote letters to say (and hopefully receive and read) all the things I needed to say and hear . . . a way to remind myself of all things beautiful and enduring and true.
And so, here I am — here you are. We are standing at the precipice of yet another new year. And, already it is a melting pot of anticipation and pain. Already, it is an achingly beautiful tapestry of hardship and hope. Already, it is ripe with opportunity and adversity.
I know this because this is how all years go. Every year is a pull and tug of beauty and brokenness, a marathon of highs and lows, a landscape of valleys and mountaintops.
Who knows what the year will bring? Children who come back home. Healing from diseases. Mending of marriages. Or, perhaps, our pain from the past will carry over? The limp that lingers. The jaded job search that continues. The ache that remains from a friendship fallen out.
For all that we carry and all that we’ve yet to come across, sometimes we need more than just one word for the year — we need a whole letter… a whole book, a whole Bible full of promises to help us preserve and get through the year ahead.
So, instead of simply inviting you into my house and showing you the letters I’ve saved, here is one of your own. This inspired letter, creatively written by me and infused by the Word of God, is for you — written as if from God’s heart to your own.
As you look out upon the start of another new year, may this letter remind you of all that is beautiful and enduring and true.
Dear Daughter,
I see you. (Psalm 33:13-15)
I see you as you were, as you are, and as you will be. (Psalm 139:1-10)
Look to Me; turn to Me. I am Your help.
I am the Maker of the heavens and the earth, and I am the Maker of all your moments.
Look to Me, for I am the only One, in all the heavens and the earth, that can hold you and help you. (Psalm 121:1-2)
I hear you, daughter. I hear you when you pray and I hear you when you are in pain. (1 John 5:14, Psalm 118:5-6)
Do not look to yourself for answers, rather look to what you know is true of Me. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Trust in Me. (Psalm 25:1-2)
Delight yourself in Me. (Psalm 37:4)
Look to Me, and Me alone, for divine direction. (Psalm 37:5)
I am He who leads you. (Psalm 32:8)
I am He who loves you. (Psalm 36:7)
My love is never far away.
Experience healing and hope through prose and poems that give space and grace for grief with Rachel’s new book, The Matter of Little Losses.
Madeline says
Oh, Rachel. That is beautiful. I am going to print this and tack it to the wall above my desk in my kitchen where I can look at it often. It was such a reassuring and comforting letter- like a giant hug from God. Thank you,
Rachel Marie Kang says
Love knowing you plan to print this up. Hope it breathes hope into your heart every time you read it!
Charee says
Excellent
Rachel Marie Kang says
Thank you!
Jill says
There is such beauty in your words. Thank you for sharing your gifts. I am praying for you.
Rachel Marie Kang says
Thank you, Jill. So grateful these words spoke to your heart : )
Cheyla says
That was beautiful Rachel, thank you!
Rachel Marie Kang says
Thank you, Cheyla. Wishing you a beautiful start to the new year : )
Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.TH.a) says
AMEN!
Rachel Marie Kang says
Thank you!
Maura says
As always your words hit my heart!
Rachel Marie Kang says
As always … I deeply appreciate every time *you* share <33 : )
Charlene says
Thank you !! Such true and good news for a start of a new year and trusting God to be there at all times whether good or bad or just plain boring. Your, letter using His words, is for sure something to print and treasure the whole year.
Rachel Marie Kang says
Aw, I hope you do print and treasure it. May you hear Him speak…always <33
Donna says
Thank you, I needed that!
Rachel Marie Kang says
You’re so welcome…I’m so glad this spoke to you : )
Gail says
Rachel, this is beautiful! Thank you for these reminders.
Rachel Marie Kang says
You’re so welcome, Gail — wishing you a beautiful start to the new year!
Kathy Francescon says
I can sooo relate! I have bins full of journals, cards, letters, poems from others, poems of my own! This is one of the most beautiful posts I have ever read! And i am definitely printing a copy of it and putting it into my catalog of favs! Thank you so much, Rachel! New Year Blessings to you, and all who visit InCourage!
Rachel Marie Kang says
One of my favorite things is to look back through old journals and reflect. Have yet to do that this year…but I hope I do soon. Wishing the same for you. So hugged to know you’ll be printing this piece out. Hope it fills up your heart every time you read it <33
birdie.cutair@gmail.com says
Thank you God for the letter you sent to me. I will read it everyday.
Love, Birdie
Rachel Marie Kang says
So glad these words spoke to you, Birdie <33
Brenda M. Russell says
Allow me to use your phrase, “what or who is beautiful, enduring and true?”
I can attest to very strong women in my family being beautiful. Beautiful inside and outside. They speak beautiful words and show beautiful kindness to others.
These women show enduring love. I have watched these women express their enduring love as I grew up. From day to day these smart women also exhibited enduring compassion with the less fortunate in our neighborhood. I learned about the character traits of Christians from these two patient women. Once I was asked if I wanted to participate in a child’s activity during the summer. I really didn’t know that I had an ugly look on my face. Then I started to smile. But I was informed that God knew my true heart and I should always tell the truth if I don’t want to do something. And that it will not do anyone any good to pretend to have feelings about doing something for another person. It was stated to me that a person does not get credit for pretending to want to do something for another person.
God sees your heart and you don’t get blessed for pretending because you are really telling a lie.
The motive of your heart tells the story about your character.
The strong, beautiful, enduring and true women are my Mother and Grandmother. I love them.
With Gratitude,
Brenda
01/03/2024
Happy New Year Everyone
Rachel Marie Kang says
Love these thoughts, Brenda. Thank you for taking the time to share them. Hope you continue to encounter that which is “enduring and true” all year long! : )
Beth Williams says
Rachel,
God has given us many divine letters & stories tucked into books in the Bible. It is chocked full of promises & goodness. His most poignant letter for me wasn’t words but actions. It was when Jesus chose to obey his Father come down to broken Earth & die a horrible death just for us. Can’t wait to see what God has in store for us this year.
Blessings 🙂