How Can I Repay You?

Over the past three weeks, John and I have been showered with love from our family, our friends, and people we don’t even know. I have had the privilege of experiencing it each day. John will experience it in time as he heals and more fully understands what he has been through.

I have witnessed people from all over, of all backgrounds, with different spiritual backgrounds, and varying degrees of intimacy with God come together, drop to their knees in prayer, and share my burden. I have felt their hearts break, listened to their voices cry, and heard their words plead just like mine has, on John and my behalf. Not because they will get anything in return, but because of their selfless, loving, laying down of their lives for their neighbor.

If I close my eyes real tight and replay Wednesday, August 4th, in my mind, I can hear hundreds of knees hitting the floor when people from all over received my text, email, message, or post begging for prayer. I imagine hundreds of voices reaching Heaven. And I imagine God smiling.

“Give your burdens to the Lord,and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Psalm 55:22

Prayer saved my husband’s life. It was a part of God’s ultimate plan, but we were obedient by bringing our burdens to His feet and leaving them there. He heard our cries and in His love and mercy He answered them.

That was the ultimate gift.

However, in my pain I have also received hundreds of tangible gifts to help me during this difficult time. I have received countless words of encouragement. I have received gifts to make my days happier. I have received generous help for my stay in Durham.

So I ask, “How can I repay you?” How can I show you what my heart feels? How can I truly show my gratitude? How can I give back?

I think the answer is by following your example.

You see, you gave me your time in prayer. You gave me your words of encouragement. You gave me tokens to help me. But you have given me another gift that will not end. You have given me your example of how to love, truly love, selflessly, for people who are in need. Everyday at the hospital I see people who are hurting and scared. I see sick children and crying parents. I see adults trying to take care of their aging parents. I see husbands and wives who are hanging on with hope. There are people all around me who are in need of something.

Your example has given me a heart for these people. It has given me a desire to make someone’s life a little happier, a little easier, a little more hopeful.

Even though I wish I could personally give back everything I’ve received to each person who has given to me, I practically can’t.

But I can take your example and love others. This is my gift back to you. Thank you for blessing our lives and for blessing countless other lives through your example to me.