麻豆约拍

"On and after the 10th of January a letter not exceeding half an ounce in weight, may be sent from any part of the United Kingdom to any other part, for one penny if paid when posted, or for 2 pence if paid when delivered" These regulations of 1840 mark the birth of the universal postal service that we take for granted.

Sadly in 2015 handwritten letters are becoming a thing of the past. We now live in a world of emails, social media , and post more often than not means packages and packets that we have ordered over the internet

I penned a thank you letter in my spidery script to a friend who had helped me with some work last year. I wanted him to know I鈥檇 not simply asked someone to write it for me. He sent me a reply message on social media. He said he was delighted to receive a handwritten letter, he didn鈥檛 think anyone did that anymore!

Perhaps we should. My emails are regularly archived, but there鈥檚 something permanent and tangible in having the physical copy in original handwriting. I still treasure my late father鈥檚 last letter to me sent in 1989 when a 1st class stamp was 19p.

Much of the New Testament consist of letters. Love letters, thank you letters, letters recording event and letters of warning. Copied and recopied still evidence of the art of how they were written remains.

At the end of one St Paul writes, "see what large letters I write with my own hand". He has taken the pen from the scribe and makes his mark to make his point. This is from me and it matters.

Heavenly Father,

I our world of changing and ever faster communications

Help us to know and by every means share the permanence of your love.

Ame