Did you get your mail today?

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Today, mailboxes are everywhere. However, that was not always the case. Mailboxes were not used until around the 1850's when postage stamps were introduced. Up until that time, folks went to the Post Office to pay for sending items via the mail. Once stamps became available, mail could be sent by individuals from home and did not require a trip to the post office to make the required payment. It was also around this time that collection boxes were created where people could drop off their outgoing mail. These boxes were usually mounted on lamp posts. It took another 50 years before these were replaced with free standing ones.

In 1863 citizens began to enjoy free city delivery and letter carriers delivered mail to residences. By 1923 the Post Office Department mandated that all households must provide a box or letter slot. The boxes were required to be large enough to hold a letter and magazines, hold up to the weather and have a signaling device to notify the carrier of outgoing mail. The common tunnel style box still in use today was designed in 1915 by Roy J. Joroleman who was an engineer and a Post Office employee.

Even with the development of technology that utilizes the internet, smart phones and all of the amazing modern communication devices, mailboxes are still everywhere ... at the end of our driveways, along our streets, on rural roads and highways. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are framed in attractive brick structures. Some are on wooden or metal posts. Some are upright and well cared for while others are leaning to one side or the other and barely able to stand. The days of door-to-door delivery are no longer available in many areas, and the majority of carriers deliver our mail via automobile. But having talked to a Post Master in Fayetteville, door-to-door delivery remains an active service and happens in cities still today.

A mailbox is where we receive messages sent by someone else. It may be something we are glad to receive, it may be a surprise or it might be something that we could easily do without. Of course, if we send something we are sure who ever gets it will be delighted with, especially if it includes a payment of some kind, we are happy to have a mailbox.

When I think about it, the number of items I send today is almost nothing compared to days gone by when it was about the only means of communication other than the telephone. Cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well or sympathy are about the only things I send and if I were more technology oriented I would probably send those from my computer as well. However, it is still nice to receive a hand written communication.

When I think about the messages I receive from God, it does not involve either the U.S. Mail or any other technological process. How does He communicate with me and where is my mailbox? A big part of His message comes from history such as the Bible, some comes from the Sunday morning worship service, but think my mailbox for His messages is in my heart. I know that I may hear a lot of what He is saying or has said, but only if I respond to what I hear have I truly received the message.

Just as an unopened letter can have little or no meaning, to hear God but not respond to what He asks of me has little or no meaning as well. Just as I need to open those things that are in my mailbox, I need to open my heart and life to what He sends my way and if I do, my life will be better and I will be able to serve Him in the way that He asks. He is there for me -- I need to be there for Him. I am so blessed that He sends me mail I can open, especially when it is from Him.

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Jan Burgess moved to Bella Vista in 1995. She considers each day a gift -- although some are more fun to open than others. The opinions expressed are those of the author.

Religion on 06/07/2017