St Mary of the Woods

2.16.20 St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, Terre Haute, IN

The book signing show and tell was widely publicized. For two weeks the publicity included television ads with a photo of me, and that of the Immanuel Quilt. The ads were seen on televisions all across the Wabash Valley.

A good turnout was expected, but no one came. Except one.

The woman who had extended the invitation for me to come and speak, she came. I wasn’t sure if she came out of pity or genuine interest, but for whatever reason, she came. And so, to an audience of one, I shared His Story in a unique quilt–the whole story. Then, we sat for a chat–me, Tom, and the woman. We had a good long chat.

Tom and I opted to take a walk before leaving the grounds of St. Mary. The path we chose commemorates the Stations of the Cross.  Memories flooded my thoughts as it was less than a year ago Tom and I were in Jerusalem walking the path in which Jesus carried the burden of our cross. I was overwhelmed with gratitude and sensed God saying, “And I would have done it for one.”

God’s plan was for me to humble myself and do it for one.

A few days later I received this message from the woman.

“I’ve been trying since our parting on Sunday to find the words to thank you. So many people under the circumstances would have been disappointed or even angry, but instead, you and your husband were gracious and welcoming. Several people have now asked me about your response to Sunday with the expectation that you left unhappy with your time at the Woods. Projecting my own feelings, I would think there was a bit of discontentment with the turnout, but I hope you know that for me, your visit was life-giving.”

The Bible says, “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” (Proverbs 15:4)

Oh, how I wish I could tell you that my response to unpleasant circumstances is always soothing and gracious, but it is not. Just days after presenting this “life-giving” talk to one,my actions spoke a very different message. I demonstrated some sin-ugly behavior on a grand scale. I felt ashamed for the way in which I had responded to a circumstance and knew that I had not portrayed a Christ-like image.

I confessed the sin to God, then I went to bed, and was given a very comforting dream. In my dream was a plane flying in the air with one of those banner messages waving along behind it. The message: You are forgiven.

Jesus carried the cross to Calvary and conquered death, so that we may be forgiven. No matter what sin-ugly behaviors we have done—there is One who endured the Stations of the Cross to forgive us–and He would have done it for One. His Name is Jesus.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,​ in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. Ephesians 1:7