Encouragement

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Slowly she read the letter again. With each sentence, her heart hurt more. Even as she read, she started to pray. It was a prayer from the heart and littered with tears.

The pain that was expressed in her friend’s words was making her heart ache. It wasn’t the action that had caused the punishment or the punishment itself that made her cry, but it was the despair and guilt that her friend had been feeling at the time the letter had been written. She had never known of anyone sinking this low.

The sadness was turning to frustration. She was frustrated that she couldn’t comfort her friend. The punishment had left her no way for her to reach out and touch her friend. All she could do was pray; so, she prayed hard.

The depression the words carried was frightening. Certain phrases caused warning bells to go off in her head. Fear of a foolish act lurked in her thoughts; so, she prayed. Yet again frustration set in and tears fell. Sudden anger at the situation flared. No matter how hard she thought and planned there was nothing that she could do; so, she prayed.

That was a long day filled with prayer. She pleaded with God to comfort her friend and that He would be there where she could not be. She prayed that the assurance of love and prayer would somehow get through. Each prayer was sent with a full heart and moist eyes.

The day dragged. She had other things to do and an image of contentment to keep up. She could not bring others down as well. Yet if looked for carefully there was darkness behind her eyes and a damper to her smile.

The next morning brought good news. A second letter came from her friend. The punishment remained, but letters could be received and the depression of the former letter seemed to have disappeared. Again she prayed; this time to thank her Father for the many answered prayers of the day before.

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