When's the last time you received a card in the mail? I'm almost 70 years old and I grew up in a time when people in my church new the power of sending a card. In fact, my father was in charge of sending cards for the church's men's group. My mother sent cards out weekly to people who were hurting or celebrating.
What types of cards were sent to others in my youth? Sympathy cards for sure but also get well cards. My mother and I listened every day to the radio where the "Eureka News" was broadcast. We listened to the reading of those who were in the hospital. If we knew anyone in the hospital, we went to work.
If we had time, we changed our clothes to "Visiting clothes" and we walked the 6 blocks to the hospital. If we had flowers growing, we cut some and put them in a vase to take to the suffering ones in the hospital. If we didn't have time because we were gardening or butchering chickens..., we sent a card in the mail to the person in the hospital. If the radio said the person was discharged, we sent the card to their home. We knew the power of receiving a card when we were down and out and we wanted those in our church or neighborhood to have our support at that time.
Of course there were many happy cards we sent or delivered in person. We mailed birthday cards to family members far away or took them to parties. No "Decent person" would arrive at a party without an appropriate card. There were many companies that sold boxed cards so we just found the right card and got to writing. Graduations, anniversaries, births, confirmations, and, of course, weddings. All events that were important to our friends and acquaintances had cards written in showing our desire to be a part of their big days!
Sympathy cards were, in my opinion, the most important cards to send--and receive. I still have all of the cards my family received when my mother died on April 25, 2009. I also have those sent to our family when my father died on May 3, 2014. Those cards matter to me to this day. I look at them every so often and pray for the sender to be blessed for taking the time to send us encouragement in those darkest of days!
If you can't guess, I'm writing with the hopes that my readers get busy sending cards to those who are hurting. By the time my brother died on April 19, 2017 card giving had waned to the point that I got ONE sympathy card. ONE! ):
I remember about 25 years ago, a couple from our church had a miscarriage. It was announced in church to pray for them on the loss of their first child. I didn't think much about it when I sent them a sympathy card. That's what I do.
About 2 weeks later, the young couple invited us to join them in a meal at their house. We didn't know them that well and I was a little nervous about taking our daughter to their home when they had just lost their child. The warmth coming from them to us took Robert and I both by surprise.
As the evening went on, they DID want to talk about the death of their child and we listened with compassion. Towards the end of our time together, the wife commented that we were the only ones in the entire church who took the time to send them a card. That church had 400 members!!!! We didn't see them after that and later we heard that they left the church. Who would blame them when we were the ONLY ONES who did such a little thing as sending them a card?
There are hurting ones or lonely ones or sad ones all around us. To them, getting a card in the mail might make the difference for them to be able to keep going. If the Lord is nudging you to send someone a care, PLEASE DO IT!! Send a card. It may even save a life!!!
There are several Christian companies who sell boxed cards that are very nice and have Scripture verses in them. Just search online. I am not endorsing the cards mentioned in this article as I have never seen them but I'm sure they will be wonderful if your heart is reaching out to someone with the message that you care about them. The point is to SEND A CARD!
May the Lord bless you as you ponder this very important part of sharing God's love with those around you.
Dawn
PS. In September of 2023, I was in the hospital for a week. Robert was the only one who visited me and I received zero cards. My daughter sent me flowers, which were very encouraging to me, so yeah flowers work too! ;) However, they died and I have only the memory of them whereas a person can look at a card over and over!
We received a phone call from a grieving spouse who had recently lost her husband to cancer. They had been married over forty years. She mentioned to us that she had received well over one hundred sympathy cards, but she kept one that happened to be a Gracefully Yours sympathy card featuring The Passion Translation.
The outside of the card read “Grief has no expiration date,” while the inside said “Thinking about you today and remembering your loved one.” Alongside these words was an encouraging Bible verse from the book of Romans.
The Importance of Community in Grief
As we age, it seems more frequent that friends and family experience loss, and we can find an increasing number of people around us grieving. When someone is mourning, reminders that they are not alone become crucial. During these times, the presence of a support system and a sense of belonging to a community offer invaluable comfort.
It’s no surprise that building and maintaining community among believers is foundational to the Christian faith. A sense of community strengthens our spiritual walk, reminding us that we are not meant to journey through life alone. In a world that often promotes isolation and self-reliance, the body of Christ is designed to be a place where we lean on one another, sharing both our joys and burdens, and comforting the grieving.
“Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles.”
Galatians 6:2 TPT
Acts of Comfort in Christian Love
We can carry each other’s troubles in various ways: through prayer, acts of service, being present, or sharing heartfelt words on a card. These tangible expressions of care are ways we embody the love of Christ and can wonderfully open the door for God’s divine purpose and perfect timing.
“We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!”
Ephesians 2:10 TPT
God desires us to pass along the comfort he has shown us so that others may experience the strength to endure suffering.
“He always comes alongside us to comfort us in every suffering so that we can come alongside those who are in any painful trial. We can bring them this same comfort that God has poured out upon us.”
2 Corinthians 1:4 TPT
The Power of a Thoughtful Sympathy Card
One reason we value sending cards is because we know how impactful even a single card can be. A well-written sympathy card can offer comfort and peace, even when you cannot attend a visitation, wake, or funeral. A sympathy card, guided by God’s timing, may arrive or be reread at the precise moment when it can bring the most solace. By adding a touch of grace with Scripture from The Passion Translation, you have a chance to include spiritual comfort. The inclusion of Scripture can remind the recipient of God’s presence and the promise of eternal life.
Of course, the impact of such a card can vary depending on the recipient’s personal beliefs and relationship with God. For those who believe in heaven, it may be a meaningful gesture that helps them feel connected to their faith. On the other hand, recipients who are grappling with their faith due to their loss might not find the same level of comfort with a Biblical message.
Thoughtfully selecting a Scripture that resonates with the recipient’s faith and circumstances can make a significant difference in how the card is received. As believers, we can rest assured in our role to share the hope of our faith, trusting God to handle the ultimate impact.
“This means the one who plants is not anybody special, nor the one who waters, for God is the one who brings the supernatural growth.”
1 Corinthians 3:7 TPT
Our guess is that you don’t have to think for long to come up with someone you know who is going through a difficult time and is in need of a message of hope, which plants a seed that God can water!
Gracefully Yours Sympathy Cards
We believe Gracefully Yours sympathy cards are especially encouraging for several reasons:
- Thoughtful design and artwork: Gracefully Yours cards feature beautifully crafted designs and artwork that are calming and uplifting. The visuals are carefully chosen to evoke a sense of peace and comfort, which can be very soothing for someone in grief.
- Inspiring messages: The messages within these cards are designed to provide genuine encouragement. They often blend empathy with hope, while acknowledging the pain of loss. Offering words that inspire healing and support reminds recipients that they are not alone.
- Biblical Scripture: For those who find comfort in their faith, Gracefully Yours cards include carefully selected Biblical verses to provide spiritual encouragement and remind the recipient of God’s presence and love during their time of grief.
- High-quality materials: The premium paper and printing methods used in Gracefully Yours cards add a sense of importance and care to the gesture, making the recipient feel valued and supported.
- Personal touch: The brand is known for its attention to detail. Each card carries a personal touch that feels intimate and thoughtful—perfect for those navigating the pain of loss.
- Focus on encouragement: These cards are specifically designed to uplift and encourage those going through difficult times. The mission of Gracefully Yours is to provide comfort and hope, making their cards especially effective in offering emotional support.
Overall, the combination of beautiful design, meaningful messages, and spiritual comfort makes Gracefully Yours sympathy cards especially encouraging for those in need of solace. As a way to make these thoughtful cards more accessible, we are offering 55% off all Gracefully Yours cards and free shipping with the discount code Passion55 (minimum order of 3 boxes).
Founded in 2009, Gracefully-Yours greeting cards was established by a collection of writers and 35 artists genuinely interested in encouraging people. Led by Carla Tocquigny, Janell Rohlack, Heather Barnes, Allison Matherne and Rick Tocquigny, they have built one of the most popular boxed greeting card companies in America with a particular focus on bringing the living Word of God to all greeting card senders and receivers. The Gracefully-Yours team has grown in their own faith through The Passion Translation and now features the "Living Expression of God, Jesus Christ," on many of their cards. They now have 20 boxed sets, or 80 cards with The Passion Translation. Visit
www.gracefully-yours.com for more information and enjoy 55% off retail by using promotion code Passion55 (minimum order of 3 boxes).
