Grace Be With You (2 Timothy 4:22)

The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

2 Timothy 4:22

Paul’s many letters end with a concluding benediction. Benediction is a word derived from two Latin words: bene (well) and dictum (said). Paul ends on a good note.

Well said:

• My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
  1 Corinthians 16:24
• The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
  2 Corinthians 13:14
• Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
  Ephesians 6:24

This practice of benediction has persisted in some form or another for centuries, with people signing their written communication in an encouraging manner. Modern letter-writing advocates recommend concluding with something “courteous” and “a touch of warm regard.” Within a religious community, our options are wide and varied. We usually declare some form of hope or affection.

Years ago, after receiving an email with an intriguing benediction, I began expanding my own concluding remarks. The process has been enjoyable and thought-provoking for me. Some of the results are below.

May our Lord Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth, be with you all,
—Corina

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With love in Jesus who knows us,
With love in him whom we can fully trust,
With love in our ever-present Lord,
With love in our merciful, blemish-removing Lord,
With love in the Lord who calls us to him,
With love in Jesus who saves,
With love in Jesus who told us to pray,
With love in Jesus who provides,
With love in Jesus who knows our stories,
With love in Jesus who abides with us,
With love in Jesus who knits hearts together around tables,
With love in Jesus who shows us the way,
With love in Jesus who is the Christ,
With love in Jesus who wasn’t afraid to trust,
With love in Jesus, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief,
With love in Jesus, the first and last word in our story,
With love in Jesus who knows all things and all people,
With love in Jesus who knows us and loves us,
Much love in Jesus who knows us and loves us anyway,
With love in Jesus who leads us,
With love in Jesus who directs our paths in the oddest ways,
With love in Jesus who gives us rest,
Love in Jesus who knows the end from the beginning,
With love in Jesus who shows us how to bear burdens,
Love in Jesus who deals with us gently in our weakness,
Much love in Jesus who leads us,
Much love in Jesus who was led by the Spirit of God,
With love in Jesus who daily leads us to greener pastures,
With love in Jesus who teaches us how to accept ourselves,
With love in Jesus who wants to help us,
With love in Jesus who heals hearts and minds,
With Jesus, the poet, the master, the Living One,
With love in Jesus who spoke often,
With love in Jesus who whispers,
With love in Jesus who saw the Joy,
With love in Jesus who knew the power of God’s with-ness,
With love in Jesus who always knew the right thing to do,
With love in Jesus who is so steadfast,
With love in Jesus who turned water into wine at weddings,
With love in Jesus who knows,
With love in Jesus who sang,
With love in Jesus who deals with us gently,
With love in Jesus who is patient with us,
With love in Jesus who bids us rest,
With love in Jesus who cares,
With love in Jesus who breaks into the closed heart,
With love in Jesus who heals,
Love in Jesus who knows the right time for all things, including the encounters with pain,
With love in Jesus who gently leads us,
With love in Jesus who went to quiet places to pray,
With love in Jesus who equips us,
With love in Jesus who fed crowds,
With love in Jesus who comforts us,
With love in Jesus who is gentle,
With love in Jesus whose name is above all names,
With love in Jesus who gathers people,
Love in Jesus who directs our steps,
Much love in Jesus who is everywhere,
With love in Jesus who is filled with compassion,
With love in Jesus who understands,
With love in Jesus, a master comforter,
With Jesus who offered a word to the weary in due season,
With love in Jesus who hears us,
With love in Jesus who has the most beautiful heart,
Much love in Jesus who is spirit and power,
With love in Jesus who makes us whole,
With love in Jesus who strengthens us,

—Corina