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Finding Strength
| TODAY: Plan to write five letters to five relatives or friends over the next five days. Recall a shared experience or a shared hope. Remind that person why they are important to you. Don’t be bashful. E-mail makes it easy. Snail-mail works too. |
Dear Dad,
The phone rang almost at midnight that night. Before I
answered it, I whispered to myself, “Lord, give me strength.”
Boy, did that turn out to be an appropriate prayer. You were in the emergency
room and barely breathing. After I arrived, there was confusion about
exactly why you were so ill, but it was obvious the situation was grave.
That was almost five weeks ago. I am writing this as I sit here and watch
you sleep — still in CCU and still breathing on a respirator. Your
prognosis is not good. I am sure you know that by now. But I want you
to know that my initial prayer that night has been answered. I have enough
strength because I am being carried. I think you are too. I can’t
believe that with all you are going through, when I come into your hospital
room, you smile and even have enough strength to blow me an occasional
kiss. I believe God is carrying us both, and I am once again grateful
for His support and strength. And what a deep faith you must have. I know
you had been studying the Bible very seriously this last year, and I can
imagine you are repeating verses in your head.
Maybe someday you will be able to read these words and others I have
written to you, but if not, then I know you will be safe and warm and
in the arms of the one who is carrying us. I love you.
Your devoted daughter,
— Jane Euler