Mysterious Ways

Years ago, after Jimmie had first been diagnosed, I began to spend a lot of time on My Space.  One day, I got a message from a young woman from my hometown.  She was the younger sister of one of my high school graduating classmates.  I happily returned her message and we began a series of Internet conversations.

It was revealed that she was the best friend of a very dear friend of mine who had been killed in a horrific car accident while I was away at college.  She explained to me her part in the accident.  She had been Shelly's alibi, so to speak.  Shelly was still in high school and had been forbidden to see the boy who had been at the wheel that fateful night.  Christal had lied to Shelly's parents, saying that Shelly was spending the night at her house so that Shelly could go out with the boy.  She told me this with a great deal of trepidation.  I believe she was holding onto a great deal of guilt.  I think she, knowing how close I had been to Shelly as well, believed I would hold her guilty too.  Instead, I met her confession with compassion and forgiveness.  I told her that she had been wrong, but that she had also been a child.  It ended tragically.  But the tragedy wasn't her fault.  Over 20 years had passed.  I told her that the Lord forgives when we ask, and all that is left is for us to forgive ourselves.

As our conversations progressed, Christal asked more about Jimmie.  She asked about his condition.  She asked how we (my husband and I) dealt with such a devastating diagnosis.  I told her that I simply give it to the Lord.  The Lord gives us the life he intends us to live.  It is not for us to question it, but to simply live it.  You just DO.  We never really understand what the Lord's plan is until he reveals it.  It is all in his time.  And I believe in the power of prayer.  Prayer strengthens us.  Even if it doesn't seem to change anything, it changes us.  I told her to read the Book of Job.  Through all our trials, the Lord never abandons us.  We should never abandon him. 

She asked.  I answered.

I never preached.  I just answered.

A few years passed.  Christal and I remained in contact, but not as closely.

Then one day, I received a letter.  The letter thanked me (and a few others) for our support and guidance at a difficult time in Christal's life, a time of addiction and loss and darkness.  Christal told me in that letter that I (and others) had been an instrument of the Lord in turning her back to God and helping her to dedicate her life to the Lord.  I was floored.  I was awestruck.  I was honored.  I was humbled.  I had no idea.  I promise you I take no credit.  It was purely the work of the Lord.  She asked.  I answered.  That's all.  That my answers to her questions were among some of the answers that she sought had more to do with God than with me.  She continues to thank me on occasion.  I continue to say it had little to do with me, but I feel immensely proud of her and thankful that I was of use.  I never would have known at all had she not sent me that letter.

Today, Christal is a member of a new Church family.  She is married.  She has a renewed and invigorated relationship with her children.  And she is the author of a new book.  Way to "do" Christal.  You "do" great.   Here is the link to her website and  how to get her book:
http://www.christalware.com/