So I’m not sure how it started, exactly, but the other day a friend of mine and I decided that we were going to have a contest to see who could come up with the holiest email closing.
This would probably be a good time to provide some background information. I do hope you’ll bear with me while I explain.
When I was in high school my parents went to a really awesome weekend retreat, and they came home with all sorts of encouraging notes from people who had also been to the retreat, and many of those notes were closed with the following words:
In Him,
Encouraging Christian’s Name
And I’ll go ahead and admit it: I was a wee big fascinated with the “In Him” sign-off. After practicing with it awhile in notes both real and imagined, I decided that I really liked working the Christian closing into my 16 year-old correspondence. For instance:
I don’t know what in the world he thinks that he’s thinking, but he’s DEFINITELY not thinking the same thing that I’m thinking. By the way, aren’t my new Reebok high tops the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? I think they are SO MAJOR.”
In Him,
Soph
Or actually it would have said “Sofa” instead of “Soph” because all my high school friends called me “Sofa,” but let’s just pretend you have no knowledge of that bit-o-information, okay?
Right after David and I got married I started teaching at a Christian school, and I noticed almost immediately that “In Him” was no longer in vogue. Oh, I mean, it was FINE, and it would certainly do in a pinch, but the closings were a bit more elaborate. All I could figure was that during the first half of my 20s, when I wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention to Things Christian, the body of Christ got together and decided to up the holy ante in their email and letter closings. So instead of just being “In Him,” people were “In His grip.” They made it clear that their existence was “By His grace,” that their words were “In His service.”
And sometimes, if the subject matter was really intense, the closing jumped up a notch to “Because of Him,” but you pretty much had to have finished seminary in order to use that one. I’m sure there were some exceptions, of course.
Anyway, it took me awhile, but eventually I managed to catch up. And by 1999, after two years of intensive study in order to reacquaint myself with the Christian closing, I was completely up-to-speed on the lingo. In fact, I may have even thrown down the “Because of His grace” gauntlet in a heartfelt letter. And while odds are that nobody on earth noticed my gauntlet throwing, I’m pretty sure that when Jesus saw me type out “Because of His grace,” he released some doves up in the heavenlies. Or maybe it was just some pigeons. But still. There’s not a doubt in my mind that He was deeply, profoundly moved.
Over the last few years I’ve done a bit of scientific research (and I think we all know that when I say “scientific research,” what I mean is “I HAVE SKIMMED AND EVEN READ SEVERAL EMAILS”), and I’ve noticed an increased use of the participle in people’s closings. I’m fairly certain this increase can be attributed at least in part to the fact that we’re doers of the Word, people. Not just hearers. Oh no. We’re doers. Please consider the following:
Following Him,
John Smith
Or:
Running with perseverance,
Mary Jones
Or even better:
Seeking His face,
Jim Jackson
The presence of the participle-driven closing (not to be be confused with the purpose-driven life) creates action (again: doers – not just hearers – doers). And let me tell you something else: you need to be on your spiritual toes when you run across a closing that starts with a participle. I mean, you’d better know that if someone closes his or her email with “Standing firm,” they’re fully anticipating that you can make the leap to the entire book of 1 Peter. Might want to keep your concordance handy, my friends.
For the last several years I haven’t actively practiced the Christian closing, mainly because I email so much that it just isn’t practical to type out an elaborate closing in every single email. And yes, I know that I could set up a signature in my email preferences, but for some reason I feel like if I do that then the next thing you know I’ll be giving myself some made-up title. And then the next thing you know I’ll be writing down “goals” and trying to “achieve some things.”
So basically what I guess I’m saying is that while I know what is widely regarded as professional, grown-up behavior, I have made a conscious choice to do the exact opposite.
Anyway, one day a couple of weeks ago my friend J and I had a PERFECTLY REVERENT discussion about some of our favorite church-related moments, and somehow the subject of email closings came up. It didn’t take long for us to decide that we needed to have a contest to see who could come up with the best, most active (DOERS. NOT HEARERS.) closing. Also, we wanted to determine once and for all which one of us is holier.
And the prize? A $25 gift card to the LifeWay store. OF COURSE.
Here is my first effort. It’s a bit rough, but I trust you’ll see the heart behind it:
Seeking Him wholeheartedly,
S.
I thought it was good, but J came back with all pistons firing:
This morning around 3:37 I was in my first hour of my quiet time in the cool refreshing morning air and I tried a new prayer position without stretching and pulled a muscle in my back.
Will you pray for me?
Praying without ceasing as to not quench His Spirit,
J.
Not only was I moved by J’s signature – I was inspired. Which is why I replied with the following:
Not quenching,
S.
Y’all have to admit that “not quenching” is gold.
But then J came back strong:
Thirsting for more,
J.
Honestly, y’all, I wondered if I was in over my head. So I thought about it, prayed about it and ultimately realized that the problem was that I’d been focusing on participles instead of focusing on – you guessed it – Him. Just raise your hand if you’ve been there, sister.
I think you’ll see the shift in my closing philosophy if you look at my final entry:
He’s changing me,
S.
Needless to say, I was humbled and honored to put the focus back where it belongs.
As for who won the contest – well, I’ll let the internet be the judge. But just know that if you need me, I’ll be ramping up for hour number four in my prayer closet, where I’ll be writing inspirational music that came to me in a vision when I was involved in an intensive seven-year study of the Psalms.
Counting it all joy,
Soph
September 4th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
I’m a bit late to the party, as I just returned from a two day fasting prayer walk….but I have just two words…
Blogging. gold.
(And a dip extravaganza on top of it?! Be still, my heart!)
Thanks for making my morning….though I think it should have come w/ a disclaimer -”Don’t start reading this post when it’s almost time to load the kids in the car for school.” I don’t think that “My mom was reading a funny blog” is listed as an acceptable excuse on the tardy slip!
With holy hand lifted high while the other hand is tweeting,
Sarah
September 4th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Thanks for this holy moment. My kids are laughing even though they don’t know why bc I am. Love this–ROFLIHN—
Because of Him I Can Face Tomorrow, It’s Today I’m Still Working On,
Kimberly
September 4th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
Deliver me,
Sister
:)
September 4th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
You have brightened my afternoon which giggles and smiles.
I confess to signing off with “holy” closings, and now I have a few new ones to use, thanks to you!
breaking the alabaster jar,
HisFireFly
September 4th, 2009 at 7:45 pm
You are truly a genius.
Just thought you should know.
But really, you aren’t the genius…He is, so I think you should close with “genius because of Him.”
Only but for Him,
Sarah Mae
{snort!}
September 4th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
TOO TOO FUNNY.
My mom signed “In Him” for years. Then she did something else, I can’t remember.. might have been “By His Grace.”
At some point not too long ago but not too recently, I tried my own hand at my o so spiritual email closing but I drew a big fat blank. So for a long time I just settled for “In Christ, Amber.” Then I think a little while later I switched to simply, “In His Love” or “Love in Christ, Amber” I have issued with telling others “I love you” unless they’re my mom, husband or kids – so that really good sister in Christ that just emailed “Love you ~ Soinso” ?? I couldn’t bring myself to sign “Love you” back so “Love in Christ” was so much safer.
I know. I have issues. These days I just slap an “Amber” at the bottom and roll with it. =P
September 4th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
Funniest post and comments I’ve ever read! Forwarded it to my entire family.
Sanctified, Justified, soon-to-be Glorified,
M
September 4th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Too Funny!
In His loving Grace,
Rebecca
September 4th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I see that I’m not the only one who was late for work this morning because of this blog and the comments.
Thanks for hitting a nerve that needed tickling.
New fan of this blog,
Henry
September 4th, 2009 at 11:27 pm
Oh my Gosh! this is a great post! My first visit & I will be back. Thanks for the faith filled humor, I THINK I can clean the spewed coffee out of my keyboard!
September 5th, 2009 at 12:21 am
This is so stinkin’ hilarious, including all the clever comments!!
Washed in the blood of the Lamb,
Brenda
September 5th, 2009 at 4:59 am
I needed this laugh…it’s 3am and I’m at work.
As a ‘Christian’ nurse, I’m surrounded by many of the ‘unreached’ or ‘non believers’ and interceed for my coworkers. Following a indepth study of 1 Peter, I feel compelled by Christ to say…
Reaching the sick-
Soph
September 5th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Great post. These signatures make my “Have a Great Day!” closing seem a little fallen short of the glory. Thanks for the laughs everyone!
September 5th, 2009 at 10:47 am
You make me laugh,
Constantly seeking Him,
Ozoz
September 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am
“Jesus Loves You and I’m Trying,
Me!”
omL i made it this far and then had to quit reading…nearly spewed soda on the laptop and can no longer read for the tears from laughing so hard!!
before i got to that spot tho I was thinking mine would be
Be still, and Know,
s.
September 5th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Mine’s not terribly holy, but it does carry the virtue of being true, especially this summer;
Better Late Than Never,
Groovy
September 5th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
I read this with no one else around, and I still snorted a little bit in laughter! :-) So true, so true. Thanks for the giggles and snorts!
That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection,
Holly
September 6th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Great fun to read!
I find a similar “pressure” on Facebook to write some great little description of me, my life, my passions, and all with a wonderful spiritual twist to it. So far I’ve left that little box blank on my wall….just don’t want to sound “fake” or “super spiritual” so I’d rather say nothing!
September 6th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
Oh, this post made me laugh out loud. Priceless! One of your best posts ever!
I applaud you in your search for just the right closing. I think you are on the right track with those inspired choices.
I have been known to use “In His Strength” from time to time. Mostly I just go with with “Love, Dawn”. No doves will be released on that one, huh?
My husband has received emails from time to time from a man who signs: Wretch Worm, Bob (not his real name)
Maybe you can use that one in future correspondence.
Signed,
Dawn, one who has fallen short of the glory of God
September 6th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
This is hysterical! Thanks for the laugh. My hubby was a pastor for years and we used to laugh at all the creative email closings the staff came up with. It was like they were trying to one-up each other with holiness. I am the same way, I just avoid it altogether. It seems too weird to always be closing my menial emails (usually about playdates, etc) with a spiritual slogan.
Victorious over the grave,
In His grip,
Blessed to be broken,
Kristen
September 6th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
BooMama, I read your blog every day esp. since meeting you at Beth Moore’s event here in Pittsburgh. And this is the best by far. I’m sitting here with my 4 year old grandson who keeps saying “My Lalu, why are you laughing?” I have actually used “Sin boldly, that grace may abound more.” But my two favorites are:
In the battle together,
Laureen
and
Kickin’ at the darkness till it bleeds daylight,
Laureen
(thanks to Bruce Cockburn, credit is where credit is due)
September 6th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
A fried sent this to me because she thought I’d like it, which I’m guessing means she thinks I enjoy making fun of Christians? I loved it, of course. Since my spiritual life has been a little dry lately, I’m going to go with a closing inspired my 4-year-old’s new favorite phrase.
Peace out Sucka,
Susie
September 7th, 2009 at 12:32 am
Oh my goodness… Just what I needed after another night with the youth group! (I get points just for that, don’t I???) I haven’t read so many comments in ages – but this was so worth it! I loved Shannon’s Prov 31 ending the most I think. I have to confess to signing “Grace and Peace” often, but in quick emails (and on nights when my brain has gone to sleep before I’ve left the laptop), it’s just:
:),
Melissa
September 7th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Your entry made me laugh, and I shared it with my husband. Thanks for the insight and your sense of humor!
Sanctified at Jesus’ substitutionary atonement,
Vanessa
September 7th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Oh, my goodness! This was absolutely hilarious! Thanks for proving that Christians can have good, clean, laughable fun.
Laughing so hard I’m crying and not even thinking spiritually,
Patty
September 7th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
This was perty funny!
Redeeming the Time,
Brooke
September 8th, 2009 at 10:42 am
I think you guys might be reaching a bit too far with this one.
Just my opinion.
Thanks.
– Living in the Light of Christ Jesus and doing my best to be salt and light in a world full of darkness and evil, but not trying to be too pietistic about the whole sanctification process which our Lord Jesus has decided to complete for us of His own volition,
Steve Martin
September 8th, 2009 at 1:13 pm
This is a fun post!
S.W.A.H.K. (Sealed with a holy kiss), Natalie H.
September 8th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I didn’t used to sign off with those sorts of things until I started teaching at a Christian high school. Then it was painfully obvious that I was the ONLY ONE not doing it, so I shyly picked up the use of “Blessings” to end my emails. Now I have a wide array, including, but not limited to:
Blessings,
Many blessings,
Many blessings and big hugs,
In Him, and
In Christ
One of the other teachers here uses “For the King,” which always intimidated me a bit, like she’s doing good works with which I can never possibly compete. I’m working “In Him,” but she’s working “For the King.” There’s just no beating that.
September 8th, 2009 at 8:22 pm
Not too shabby Ms. BlogHer-of-the-Week!
http://www.blogher.com/blogher-week-boomama?from=nethed
Thanks for sharing your wit, wisdom and most importantly, your faith! I’m continually blessed by your blog.
Bless you,
Carly
September 8th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
Hysterical! And I’m Mormon, and even though we don’t usually say things like that, even though we’re totally Christian, still hysterical!
September 9th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Loverly, I have a minister friend who uses “Peas”.
September 9th, 2009 at 8:08 am
So sin sick and saved by amazing grace in Him who has all the glory forever and ever to all people in all times amen,
Heather
P.S. I absolutely love this post.
September 9th, 2009 at 9:21 am
after years of working in christian schools and christian orgs this was fabulous. two of my favorites: a guy in college once signed off a note to me with “agape” as the closing, and at one job i used to get “serving him by serving others” from one frequent emailer. thanks for the laughs!
September 9th, 2009 at 9:26 am
Oh my, I can’t even read all the comments or I truly will be ROFLIHN. (How’re we doing with that on the Twitter feed?)
I personally would go with this:
His Eye Is on the Sparrows Like Me,
Jan
But this morning I am:
Praising God that He created such funny people,
Jan
September 9th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I actually went to seminary…and SOME people closed with…
Abiding,
John Awesome
It is all very reverent and important and (of course) holy.
Basking in my own close to God-ness,
JennJenn
September 9th, 2009 at 9:56 am
住在房顶的角上,
Tonggu Momma
which translates as “living on the corner of the roof” … oh, wait a minute… that’s not ME, that’s my HUSBAND.
(And do I get bonus points because I wrote it in Mandarin? Because I totally think I should get bonus points. And no, I am NOT quarrelsome.)
September 9th, 2009 at 11:12 am
I once received a letter from my far away Grandma who was a Christian Science practitioner, signed ever so colourfully with,
May you sup with Jesus on the roast birds of paradise,
Granny
She was serious. I later became a vegetarian. I’m a visual person, and the images were kinda troubling, although I know she meant it with all goodness and love. I felt a little sorry for Jesus and his kingdomly KFC.
September 9th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
this post is amazing:)
when i was a youth pastor, i used to sign “seeking the Kingdom.” then i changed it to “shalom.” now, i mostly just sign “peace”–more hippie than christian.
my supervisor used to use this one–a bruce cockburn lyric: “kickin’ the darkness ’til it bleeds daylight.”
raising my Ebenezer,
suzannah
September 9th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Always Striving for My Lord,
Melissa @ http://www.fordsbigbluehouse.blogspot.com
September 9th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
Loving you because he first loved us,
Mis
September 9th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Okay, my mind is swimming with so many closings!
Thankful to be His kid!
Jen
September 9th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Hilarious! “Trying to resist the Whore of Babylon” was the absolute best! There are 3 that get me – 1. A smart guy in church always does the Sola Gloria Deo one – really, what does that mean and who speaks Latin? and if it’s so great then why not say in it American so we ALL know what he’s talking about?!? 2. Blessings – what do you write when you respond to that one? Blessings back, no . . . something more, what if you don’t go spiritual with the closing, then what? Kind of like the waitress that calls everyone “honey” or “sugar” 3. This is a real one from a missionary friend of mine – “your servant HIS bondslaves.” I’d like you to come over and wash my car please!!
just one of the circumcised,
Ted
September 10th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Hi Boo,
Thanks for a great laugh! I was away last week and a friend asked if I had seen your post on closure!!! My friend and I have had this competition too!! I roll my eyes at some of the ridiculous/pious email closings I have received!!! Gag!
One of the one’s that I find overdone is
“Blessings”
and one of my least favourites:
“Be God’s”
You didn’t delve into the option of actually preaching at people with your closing!!!! hahaahaah!!!!
Thanks for the laugh!
September 10th, 2009 at 10:41 am
I can hardly breathe. This blog could be a problem for me.
September 10th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Thanks for poking good natured fun at our efforts for positive Christian closure!
Looking forward,
Cathy
September 10th, 2009 at 11:00 pm
too funny!
Kickin’ it with Christ,
Jean
September 11th, 2009 at 1:44 am
Dear S, That was inspired!
Very Adrian Plass-ish :D
My brothers thank you, my future children thank you, my mother thanks you and I thank you!
Resting in the Shadow of His Wing,
Grace
September 11th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Okay, so I have no idea who you are, but found a link to this on Facebook, and it made me laugh so hard I cried. I realize no one in their right mind will read down this far, but here’s my go at it – (realizing all the really good ones are gone already, I’ll have to just tell the truth)
Laughing so hard I cry at this post while my pie crusts and frozen broccoli melt at the doorway because I was too lazy to put them in the freezer before I checked Facebook,
Mary
September 11th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
Never read so many comments in my LIFE!
Knowing it was for me He died,
Diane