Arielle was a grade school teacher living in Michigan. She was feeling discouraged about a student that she was struggling to help. She wondered if her work was making any difference when she received a card in the mail.

It was a letter from one of her former students, John. He thanked her for all of her hard work and dedication. He explained that his mother had been a single mom, and he didn’t have anyone to help him at home. While others had given up and written him off, Arielle’s encouragement and kindness had kept him going.

Arielle was touched by the letter that she cried. She started a campaign in her classroom, encouraging each student to write a letter of gratitude toward someone who had positively influenced them.

If you want to bless someone, you can write a short note and tell them how much you care. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

Keep it Short

Some people believe that a thank you note must be super long to be sincere. However, a short thank you letter doesn’t have to be more than two paragraphs. A brief message can be more meaningful than a long one that rambles.

Share Examples

When writing a thank you letter, try to mention what the recipient did. For example, when Delaney wrote a thank you note to the speaker of her women’s conference, she thanked the other woman for the time she took to encourage others behind the scenes.

Once you’ve shared what the person did, explain why it was meaningful. Delaney’s note touched on how the speaker’s compassionate response spoke to her heart for hurting women.

Be Authentic

Remember that writing a letter of gratitude isn’t like writing a college term paper. You don’t have to use fancy words or impress the recipient. Instead, share from the heart and use everyday language.

Handwritten Means More

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s tempting to send your thoughts via email. But a physical, handwritten letter shows the recipient that you cared enough to spend valuable time writing to them.

A handwritten note often becomes a keepsake item. It gives the receiver a chance to re-read your kind words whenever they need encouragement.

Don’t Forget The Closing

When you’re finishing a note, you may struggle with how to end it. For an informal letter going to a friend or family member you know well, you may want to use an expression of love like “sending hugs” or “love you tons.”

But for a professional letter, you’ll want a more formal closing. Try using expressions like “thanks again” or “sincerely.” These closings show you care without being too personal.

Think of the ones who’ve influenced you over the years and consider writing one of them a handwritten thank you note. A few people you may want to thank might include a teacher who believed in you, a mentor who guided you during a difficult season, or a spiritual leader who encouraged you.

Until next time, stay safe, and keep the faith.