Waiting for a train on Llanelli Station I had time to look around and see how much the station has changed. The welcoming foyer, far from the narrow ticket window I remember. The new bridge linking both platforms is very impressive and far removed from the previous one which had seen better days. One feature of the station did catch my attention and that was the post box set in the wall near the entrance. The bright postal red shone in the afternoon sunshine with ‘VR’ embossed at its top meaning that it was installed during the reign of Queen Victoria sometime between 1837 and 1901. I stood and wondered – how many letters had been posted there? Think of the time scale – in 1840 the ‘penny black’ stamp introduced by parliament brought letter writing to everyone. Two world wars – how many love letters had begun their journey to the front lines of those conflicts from that box? Then again, the post train would pass through Llanelli every night stopping briefly to pick up mail bags and also give locals the opportunity to ‘catch the post’ quickly posting their letters in the train post box before it speedily made its way. Letter writing may not be what it was. Ways of communication have changed so dramatically. We were intrigued when ‘fax’ came along, how much more ‘e mail’ and texting. Queen Victoria would have been amazed!
Letter writing has [all has to do with communication, of expressing our deepest feelings when words may not seem to be enough. Christmas and birthday greetings, letters of sympathy or encouragement often play a large part our lives. The Bible is often called God’s ‘love letter’ to the world. The sweeping story of God who restores, and renews culminating in the coming of Jesus who gave the assurance that God is our father who delights to hear the needs of those he loves. Prayer is at the heart of communicating with God. How prayer actually works is as much a mystery to me as the latest communication technology. Its worth, however, has been proved so many times. Even when our circumstances are not as we would want them, we are given a place to lay down our burdens and cares. God’s love letter is never abstract or impersonal it’s grounded in love and compassion and addressed especially to you.
