Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday November 15, 2005

Each day unfolds some rerun of life as you get older. Solomon expressed this feeling/truth when he opined, "There is nothing new under the sun."

Today I am sharing in part correspondence from a good missionary couple working in The Dominican Republic. I think the exchange may encourage you to keep on going no matter what life throws your way:

Dear Pastors and Friends,

"On a personal note, we were robbed last evening while we were at church. The thieves took a lot of sentimental things, my wife's wedding bands, her engagement ring and my mothers engagement ring that she gave to me before she passed away. They also stole our lap top computer, a cell phone and a coin collection from Lis's room. Please pray for us that the devil won't be able to uses this to discourage us in the work of the Lord. Thank you so much.

In Christ, Jeff Garrison"

My answer:

Dear Jeff,

Thanks for the note. I assure you of our prayers especially concerning the robbery. Joyce and I were robbed years ago and lost the sentimental things. On a good note the boy who robbed us is now in the ministry. We thank the Lord for him. He said he could never get over our forgiveness nor the Lord's.

Keep the faith,

Larry

In answering Jeff's letter, the old pain of the robbery we suffered came flooding back. We lost little of financial value, but as Jeff and his family, the sentimental value was priceless. The first black onyx ring that I gave to Joyce the first Christmas that we were going together, I had paid for it on installments though in those days it cost only $35. And the little plastic bracelets that the children, Dawn and Jon had worn when they were born, to this day brings tears to Joyce over the loss of them. For some reason we never asked a jeweler to appraise them! But they were priceless nonetheless.

A few years after our robbery, the kid came and sat in our kitchen, during a time of real darkness in our life, and with tears streaming down his face told of how he had robbed us. We knew, but had prayed over the years for the Lord to touch his heart, and in His time, He did just that. A few years later this former robber preached in our church. I don't recall his sermon, but I could not stop weeping as I enjoyed the miracle.

I'm certain more people would find the mountain of the Lord's forgiveness harder to get over if, we who claim His name learned to extend His kind of true forgiveness.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2005 Use with credit.

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