I grew up loving hymns.
Even as a young child I was fascinated by the rhyming lines and how some melodies seemed to fit the words so beautifully. Having grown up in a home where singing hymns was part of our devotion after supper and bedtime prayers, and having attended Christian Day Schools where memorizing hymns was part of the curriculum, they became part of my ‘heart language.’ When I went through tough times, it was lines of hymns that would pop up into my head to comfort me. When I encouraged others during their tough times, lines of hymns peppered my written messages. They are little literary workhorses that accomplish so much.
By eighth grade, it was not uncommon for me to sit through a church service and know at least one verse, and sometimes all the verses, of every hymn that was sung. It was a satisfying feeling to watch those around me reach for their hymnal as the organist played the introduction, knowing that I didn’t need to open one. And I, along with Mom, would sing them by heart with our eyes closed, undistracted by anything in our hands or the hair of the person sitting in front of us.
I didn’t grow up dreaming that I’d run a business that showcased hymn texts. In fact, it’s only been recently that I’ve noticed a bit of an entrepreneurial vein running through me. But, we all know how the Lord works–mysteriously and always with a purpose. What could be the Lord’s purpose with this business endeavor? Yet another way to spread the Word of His love for mankind to the world? Yes. I think so. At their roots, hymns are simply God’s timeless words–redressed–with three lovely cloaks: simple language, rhyme and a melody.
Does our culture need more greeting cards?
In my opinion, the flood of electronic communication during this generation has increased the value of heartfelt, handwritten words and the act of love it is to mail someone a card. I experienced this firsthand during a bout with cancer several years ago. A simple greeting card with a simple note inside, letting me know I was in someone’s thoughts and prayers, brought such joy to my heart. Without planning it, a beautiful greeting card has once again become something special, perhaps even extra special. There are reasons the greeting card industry continues to be a billion dollar industry. There will never be a time on earth when celebrations and the need to encourage someone ceases. And the touch of the written word still carries with it an awesome power to connect, cheer or comfort.
My sainted mom had some of the best one-liners:
“Don’t do everything. Find things that you can do that other people can’t do and do them well.” What a warehouse of wisdom in eighteen words. Extractions from this golden sentence are: 1) Use your God-given abilities 2) to help others 3) and in your pursuit for excellence, give the glory to Him. That makes sense. I’ll take my love for hymns, add the creative talent with design and words I inherited from my parents and combine them in an endeavor that hoists rich, meaty, doctrinal, Christ-centered texts from my childhood hymnal and spread them through His kingdom in the form of greeting cards that showcase His love for us in Christ.
I’m not tech-savvy. I’m tech-challenged with a capacity for learning.
In the research I’ve done on starting to market a product online, without fail, the advice is the same: ‘Just start. Don’t wait until you have thousands of products to offer. You can always add.’ With that consistent advice, I decided to launch this website with the cards I have so far. But there will be more coming. There are many hymns in my hymnal and many verses in those hymns. They will keep me busy for a very long time.
Happy humming.
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