Handwritten...

Something novel happened in my life a few days ago. I came home from an outing to find a handwritten letter awaiting me. Wow... I cannot remember the last time I received a handwritten letter. Obviously, in today's world, communication over distance is largely accomplished through emails & a few other choice methods.

This letter was written on pale yellow lined legal paper. It was actually 2 full pages (written on both sides). It came folded in a business  envelope. I recognized the handwriting even before I saw the return address. It was from someone I dearly love. I believe she is in my life to guide me through some of life's hardest decisions. She has always been there for me. Through the old fashioned cordless phone, she helped me raise my children. She was always only a phone call away.

Her ministry in my life began with my first pregnancy. I was on a trip & in excruciating pain. We were young. We were scared. We didn't know what to do, so we called her. Actually, I think my husband called her first. I was timid back then, & I was in pain. She told us just what to do. She gave me different ways to relax to relieve the baby's pressure. It helped that she was a nurse. We always felt so secure with her.

Not long ago, I was faced with one of the most difficult decisions of my life. I had to chose my own surgery to rid my body of this cancer. For some reason, this decision was too much for me. I would rather have not been given a choice, just told what to do. I prayed every day, several times a day, about this decision. The answer just wasn't coming. I couldn't find the peace.

As the day of reckoning approached, I still had no answer. It was Wednesday; I had to face my surgeon with my final answer on Friday. My daughter (also a nurse) suggested I call her. Now why hadn't I thought of that? Thursday afternoon, I called her. I shared my agonizing decision with her. I read her my list of pro & cons. She asked me a few simple questions. Then... she issued her verdict. Suddenly, I was overcome with peace. In that brief moment, God took all of my agony & replaced it with His perfect peace. Even though the road would not be easy, my peace would never waver.

So... this beautiful letter arrived, so full of my divine messenger's words. I will always treasure this letter (such words of hope & encouragement). I have tucked it in my Bible where it will stay. I will read it when I'm blue. There's no one in this world for whom I have greater respect. She is a servant. She is my role model. She is my husband's beloved sister. She is my divine messenger.

Dedicated to Keith (my husband's sister)