Be blessed

Be blessed … I write a lot of cards and emails. Shocking, huh? I’ve often said that if Hallmark ever goes out of business; blame me because it’s probably because I quit writing cards.  Up until the past couple years, I wrote real hold-in-your-hand cards for birthdays. Now I also send email or post on Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn. Recently, I subscribed to an online service through a friend Amber Bruce, called Send-out-cards. I choose the card, type my message, type the address and the service prints and sends them. There are multiple methods to send a message – how to end it is a dilemma.  Thinking of someone when it’s not even their birthday is a card worthy occasion. In fact, I’ve been known to send un-birthday cards because I am unreliable when sending birthday cards even close to the actual date.  The ‘what to say’ comes easily, but those endings are a puzzle.  How to end it?  Love – too personal perhaps. Thanks! – that would sound crazy at times.  “Sorry you’re feeling under the weather.”  How about “Thinking of you.” That would fit, but most of the time I just said that in the message.  Why repeat it?
Here’s what I settle on most of the time.  “Be blessed.” It isn’t cliché or trite. Be blessed isn’t something I say just to bring closure to the message. “Be blessed – and now you’re on your own.”  No, “be blessed” is from my heart and encompasses all I hope for you that day – all I pray that God brings to you in whatever situation you are in right then. Another favorite is to end my message “With joy” because that’s what I hope for.  “Be blessed with unspeakable joy.” Why not?
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
If you’ve been through a heart ache, ‘Be blessed’ hopes for you these words in Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”  And I pray Psalm 125:4 for you “Lord, do good to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.”
‘Be blessed’ means I want God to bless you with his best.  Psalm 115:15 “May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” And I want conflicts in your life to evaporate with the dew. Luke 10:5 “Peace to this house.”  I want you to be blessed with joy that makes your heart sing. Psalm 33:3 “Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.” 1 Peter 1:8 calls this type of joy, inexpressible. Be blessed with joy that’s inexpressible.
Do you struggle with how to end a message you’ve written? There are many ways to add a closing thought . . . ‘Be blessed,” pretty much covers it. So – if you get a message from me and it’s signed “Be blessed” know that it encompasses the beginning Galatians 1:3 “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,” and the end Jude 1:2 “Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.“
Be blessed,