best

Someone has composed the following list of "Cards You'll Never See at Hallmark":

"Looking back over the years that we've been together, I can't help but wonder....

What was I thinking?!"

"I've always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love....

After having met you, I've changed my mind."

"As the days go by, I think of how lucky I am....

that you're not here to ruin it for me."

"As you grow older, Mom, I think of all the gifts you've given me.....

Like the need for therapy."

"You look great for your age....

Almost life-like!"

"When we were together, you always said you'd die for me....

Now that we've broken up, I think it's time you kept your promise."

"We have been friends for a very long time....

What do you say we call it quits?"

"I'm so miserable without you....

It's almost like you're here."

"You are such a good friend that if we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket....

I'd miss you heaps and think of you often."

Somehow those cards truly don't seem very appropriate for a card company that advertises with the slogan, "When you care enough to send the very best." Greeting card companies certainly have made it easy for us to let our friends and relatives know that we care about them.

The apostle Paul didn't have the benefit of going into a card store, but many of the words he wrote to congregations and individuals are filled with sentiment and worded in such a way that perhaps they should be used in greeting cards. Listen to these words written to the Christians in Philippi:

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always with every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy....it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart....For God is my witness, how greatly I long for you all with the affection of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:3-4,7,8).

Warren Wiersbe outlines this section with these phrases: "I have you in my mind", "I have you in my heart" and "I have you in my prayers." That sums up well the affection that Paul had for those brethren.

Is there someone that you care greatly about? Send them a card. Better yet, drop them a line of your own creation and let them know that they are on your mind, in your heart and in your prayers today. Only do it, though, if you care enough to send the "very best."