A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. – Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
In our fast-paced, digital world, the way we express care and connection has changed—but our need for meaningful encouragement hasn’t.
While social media comments and birthday posts are thoughtful, nothing quite compares to opening the mailbox and finding a card from someone who took the time to write, stamp, and send it. That’s why I love cardmaking — I find deep joy in sending handwritten cards.
The tradition of greeting cards may feel old-fashioned, but I believe it’s one tradition worth keeping. Whether it’s a birthday, a thank-you, or a just-because note, a simple card can become a vessel for grace, encouragement, and blessing. Many of us still cherish and value the deeper connections that tangible notes bring.
“A word fitly spoken” can take many forms today, not just a card. Sometimes it’s a phone call. Sometimes it’s a kind text. But often, the most memorable words are the ones we can hold in our hands and tuck away in a drawer.
So here’s a little encouragement: take a moment today to write a card. Let God use your words to speak life into someone’s day.
It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be heartfelt.
Live it Out:
Whether it’s a card, a text, or an email, words sent with love and guided by grace can be like apples of gold—a true treasure in a noisy world. But when you don’t have time for a handwritten card, there are still simple ways to share heartfelt encouragement:
- Handwritten note tucked in a lunchbox, book, or gift bag
- Voice message sent through text, voicemail or an app like Voxer
- Short video greeting (especially meaningful for faraway loved ones)
- Personalized email with encouraging words or Scripture
- Small gift or care package with a note included
- Scripture text or prayer sent just because
Having a tough time finding the right words to say? Try these websites I found for some ideas:
Fun Facts: Did you know greeting cards have been around since at least the mid-1800s? The first commercially made Christmas card popped up in 1843, and by 1915, Hallmark was already mass-producing Valentine’s Day cards. I just discovered that a short drive from us in Lawrence, Kansas, is Hallmark’s card production center, which has been running since 1958—pretty close to their headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri!
Disclosure: Scriptures marked ESV are taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION (ESV): Scriptures taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION ® Copyright© 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission
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