Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Wednesday December 3, 2008

Many of you, my dear readers know that I send a fair amount of literature into prisons around the country. Several months ago one of my readers in prison, on Death Row, sent the addresses of a number of his friends to me. In response to receiving Larry Lilly’s Journal, Steve wrote a letter to me. I want to share a few lines from Steve's letter:

"I was deeply moved by a phrase in your paper, "Bitter tears and unsaid words" as your comments blessed my soul. I am 83 years old, no paycheck since I retired at age 62. The wife and I have been married for 57 years, we are both in good health. We've been going to Death Row at Parchman for at least 20 years. Four of us from First Baptist in Raymond usually go. The guards are cooperative and we go on the first and third Saturdays. Please include us in your prayers."

I share this excerpt with you in the hopes that you will see the secret of Steve's great outlook on life. Can you visualize a married couple, 83 years of age, married 57 years, taking two Saturdays a month and spending this time with condemned men, for whom society offers no hope? The man who sent Steve's address to me, was led to Christ on a Saturday afternoon, by Steve and his wife.

From the tone of the letter I would bet the farm, not mine, but perhaps yours, that Steve and the wife have little of what we would call this world's goods. I also drew the conclusion that they are rich toward the Lord. Some of the finest people in the world are relatively unknown except to a small circle of others whose life is made more bearable because of little people whom society largely ignores. Truth be known the famous, powerful and Hollywoodish spiritual giants would be unknown were it not for the faithful little people like Steve and his wife.

In the realm of Christ, fame or lack thereof is NOT the measure of all things. The standard of measure in the Kingdom of Christ and I think in the minds and hearts of real people, is faithfulness in the work the Lord has entrusted to us, whether this work is of the magnitude of names on the lips of every person in the country or in the hearts that send forth a prayer for the Steve's in the Lord's work. To be found faithful is no small thing, for true faithfulness is as rare a jewel as Shakespeare termed consistency.

I have never received a note from President Bush, nor do I expect to receive one from President Elect Obama. Were I to be surprised by such, I doubt the letter would move me more than this short note from Steve. I am encouraged with the truth that there are a few men and women who still have time for God, and for his people in the tough places of life. No TV cameras, no paparazzi, no trinkets to hang on the coat or dress, but just the expectation of a simple, "Well done, thou and good and faithful servant, enter thou into the JOY of the Lord." True joy is still found in service rendered from a heart full of love.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2008 Use with credit.

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