A spiritual love letter may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave to your family and friends. Sometimes referred to as an “ethical will,” a spiritual love letter is an informal document separate from your legal will, designed to pass along your Christian values, life lessons and blessings from one generation to the next.
Families have been crafting these legacy documents for centuries. In fact, the practice traces its origins all the way back to Jacob gathering his sons to offer them a blessing, just before his passing (Genesis 49:1-33).
Writing a spiritual love letter may feel daunting at first. However, if you view it as a love letter to your family, the process can be spiritually deep and satisfying. Furthermore, since this is not a legal document, the content, length and form are completely up to you. There is no right or wrong way to go about it; the letter should reflect your personal tone and style.
Most people include these three basic elements in their spiritual love letters…
- Beliefs and values. What are your core beliefs about God? How have your faith and convictions guided the way you’ve lived your life?
- Life lessons. What are the most important things you’ve learned from your mentors? What truths have you gleaned from life’s victories, challenges and disappointments?
- Messages of hope. Which Scriptures have brought personal encouragement? What are your greatest hopes and prayers for your loved ones? What blessing do you want to offer them?
Once you’ve completed your spiritual love letter, make sure to save it along with your will, in a safe location where your personal representative knows where to find it. In doing so, you will leave your family a tangible gift of love, hope and encouragement they can carry with them in the years to come.
Need additional help writing your spiritual love letter? Request your free copy of “Writing a Spiritual Love Letter” by emailing Starla at Starla@GuidingLightWorks.org or
call 616-451-0236 x20
