The Little Letters - Day 27

12 I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to do it with paper and ink. For I hope to visit you soon and talk with you face to face. Then our joy will be complete.
13 Greetings from the children of your sister, chosen by God.

The Elder concludes this letter with a desire to come and visit, for there was much more to say to the community. He, however, did not want to write it down, but to share it with them in person.

Have you ever thought to yourself: “I really shouldn’t say all of this in an email, I’d better make a phone call?” I wonder if John was feeling this way as well. It felt like he was speaking to a specific situation that the church may have been experiencing, but rather than allowing himself to get caught being quoted saying something that he wouldn’t want out there, he decided to cut the letter short and let them know that he was heading toward a visit.
This is almost always wise.

In today’s world, it is too easy to say things that we will regret later. And with the internet, those things can become permanent marks on your reputation. As well, it is easier to come to understandings with those you disagree with by talking to them. It leads less to interpretation and you are able to explain yourself without the separation of the pen.
 
I may have mentioned this before, but I used to have a colleague who would always WRITE TO ME IN ALL CAPS! SHE ALWAYS SEEMED LIKE SHE WAS ANGRY!!!!

I finally asked her way she was always emailing me this way, and it turns out that she emailed everyone this way, regardless of what the conversation was. While this turned out to be a funny little interchange, I am sure there were those who misinterpreted what she was trying to say.
The best way to communicate what you really mean is to be face-to-face whenever possible. While this is not always possible, technology has actually made this easier for all of us to connect and least see facial expressions and body language, at least a little. This allows for better understanding.

John concludes this letter with a desire to see them, to be together in community, and that is just the best for all of us!
 

1. Do you remember how disconnected people felt during the Pandemic? 
2. What was the hardest part about communicating during that time? 
3. Have you ever misconstrued someone’s intent due to their writing style? 
4. How can you connect with someone face-to-face today?