Christmas Wishes

Dear Briarwood Church Family,

Janine and I are grateful for the numerous cards, phone calls, emails, letters, gifts, visits and especially your continuous prayers.  We miss being in worship, Sunday school, Wednesday night fellowship, circle meetings (especially Robert) and all that we love about being with you in person. You have kept us on the top of your concerns far longer than you or us ever imagined would be necessary. Yet, you continue to show us your unconditional love.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are our partners in our health struggles and without you, we would be lost. God has blessed Briarwood with an abundance of Saints and Angels who care for the sick and weary with grace and dignity.  We are so fortunate to be a part of such a loving, caring congregation.

Likewise, He has blessed us abundantly and continues to watch over us, love us and care for our daily needs. You are true disciples of God’s love, power and grace.

We love you all,

December 20, 2014

I recently sent the above letter to our beloved church family.  However, I know that it could just as well have been penned to everyone who knows us and has been part of my healing improvement. Your  love and prayers do matter so very, very much to us.  Yes, we are fortunate to be a part of such a loving, caring family.  God has showered us with friends who refuse to forsake us in our hours of darkest despair just like when you were with us during the times of great joy in our lives.

2014 has been a difficult year for our family.  From my awful diagnosis of MDS to the tragic death of Fran and Amelia's dear sister Susan Mayfield, from the loss of her beloved husband Bill to the terrible news of our cousin Johnny Watts' death in his house fire we have felt the anguish of misery.  Yet as we approach the celebration of Christmas I am thankful that we have such a loving God who provides as much goodness in our lives as we can likewise deserve.  From the miracle of Christ's birth to the terrible death he experienced on the cross, for his life on Earth that filled so many of his followers with hope and love to the salvation of his resurrected power we rejoice in this season of Christmas love and joy and giving.

My prayer is that we will see a brighter New Year in 2015.  May we then sing and dance with praise and wonder and joy even though our hearts are filled with sadness.  We are called to minister to those whom Christ loved and served during his short time on Earth.  We carry his Cross now and God loves us more than ever before.  May your gifts be to the lowliest of his people to the greatest.  Let us give hope where there is hopelessness, love where there is hate, laughter where there are tears of sadness, peace where there is war and the abiding power and goodness of God's love and grace shared to all we come in contact with on a daily basis.  

Merry Christmas!