A Childhood Lesson

Despite occasional mild nausea and a growing pressure on my left side, I still feel well enough to try and make myself useful.  I spent a lot of time this month preparing for the wedding of a Filipina friend and her fiancé husband.  Prior to the wedding, I hosted them by taking them to the Fort Worth zoo, the botanical gardens, and a science and history museum.  I helped with hours of decorating a little country chapel, then officiated the ceremony along with the help of Sara and Jonathan.

I guess my biggest post-missionary role is being grandpa to Christy and Amy (and Nathaniel Kellogg, due in November).  I’m at David and Andrea’s house at least twice a week, sometimes more.  Amy has developed quite an affection for her grandpa which melts my heart whenever she reaches for me with her outstretched arms.  Christy and I have developed quite a repertoire of action games that leaves her laughing for more and me panting for less.  Christy turned 4 last Thursday.  On her first birthday, 3 years ago, I wrote a letter to her that could apply to anyone who will someday face difficult circumstances, like cancer.  This is the letter…
 
           Dear Christy.   When I was a child I woke each morning to a picture my mother had placed above my bed.  The picture taught me an important lesson and gave me great encouragement.  The scene in the picture depicted two barefooted children crossing a decayed wooden bridge teetering above a raging river.  Nearby, jagged lightening pierced a stormy sky.  The trail behind them emerged from a darkened gloom with no clue in the picture of where this same trail would lead.
          But half the picture was filled with a beautiful, bright, glowing guardian angel who stood behind the two children with her protective arms outstretched.  The message was clear.  With God in the picture you have nothing to fear, nothing to worry about, no matter what the circumstances around you might be.
          Christy, you are now one year old and you are a beauty to behold.  The Lord has blessed you with extraordinary parents and an extended family who loves you dearly.  If all goes as planned, you will be raised in a comfortable home surrounded with incredible opportunities to learn both grace and truth.
          One might conclude that such an environment will shield you from the tempestuous storms of life.  But on the contrary, if you respond in obedience and humility with what you are taught, then you will become an alien and stranger in a world that is not kind to those who call on the name of the Lord.  You will encounter many precarious bridges and savage storms.
          But, Christy, never lose sight of the angel behind you, of God’s protective hand, His loving heart, His infinite wisdom, and His divine purpose for you, which includes crossing some unsteady bridges and passing through some unpleasant storms.  It’s these times of uncertainty that compel us toward the all-powerful Savior and allow us to experience an intimacy in Him that nothing in this world can satisfy more.
          So, my dear granddaughter, for now you are securely protected by God’s grace, selected according to His predestined plan to accomplish a purpose in this world uniquely crafted with you in mind.  One day, in a few years from now, you will have the choice to continue in this grace by faith.  My prayer is that not only will you accept God’s grace by faith, but you will also accept the path that passes above the raging rivers where God’s Holy Spirit stands watch and the Father’s loving hand will guide.  Because we know this path, and this path alone, leads to the land where the bridges are forever strong and the skies are eternally clear.