A good friend of mine (she's actually more like a sister to me), sent me an exciting message the other day. She was elated to find out the meaning of billet-doux (pronounced "bil-lay doo). She asked me, "Why do you think that people don't participate in passing along billets-doux anymore?" While she stomped me with that question, she did raise a very valid point afterward. She stated, couldn't the Bible be considered a billet-doux? After careful thought, I concluded that sure it could!
For those of you who don't know what the term billet-doux means, it is the way to say love letter in the French language. The French started using the term sometime betweeen 1666 and 1675. These "notes" were passed between lovers and good friends, as a letter of love could and should be shared with everyone that you feel the emotion for, whether it is romantic or plutonic. While, the practice has lost its luster over the centuries, and especially in contemporary times (probably due to the invention of the telephone and the advancement of technology as it relates to computers- email in other words), putting it into practice again could begin the process of shifting those who lack the ability for whatever reason back to openly sharing love for one another, more often. A billet-doux can be kept by the receiver as a reminder of another's affection, opening their minds and hearts to better understanding when their love one makes a mistake and could be used for reconciliation and repair of a previously damaged relationship.
In addition, they could also be used to deepen the ripples of love that could be permeating in the hearts of a person that you admire, and since it is not practiced as often, could make you appear unique in a good way to the object of your affection. Even a simple billet-doux with just a few well thought lines could carry you a long way in capturing the object of your heart's desire--and keeping them going could help you to build an unbreakable bond with each other.
Back to the idea that the living word from the Holy Bible could be considered a billet-doux. It could in fact be called this, as the good book is God's immaculate attempt to show us how much he loves us and wants a relationship with us. He expresses his deep desire for us to be with him, by sharing the story of how he gave his only begotten son's human life, so that we could have the life that is required to be in his presence--to experience his love first hand. Of course with any relationship, work is involved. But in a standard love-based relationship between two humans, you are not given any specific instructions on how to strengthen that love. God loves us so much however, that he has provided explicit instructions on how to develop the best kind of love affair imaginable--and that is one with him. Further, we received a directive from the book of life to love each other as God loves us. Why not fashion our methods after those of our mighty father. Write a billet-doux or a letter of love to a special person in your life. It doesn't have to be a boyfriend or a girlfriend. It can be your mother, your children, or your next door neighbor. Take the time to tell them why you love them and appreciate them. Remind them of the great qualities you see in them, and your belief that they can reach any dream and overcome any obstacle. Doing that will definitely make their day, and it will strengthen their love for you!
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