Recently a tragedy was wrapped in profound comfort and compassion through a group of Jr. High girls. When I was notified about the situation, I was so impacted that I wanted to share it with each of you. As I read the following email I kept hearing, “The Kingdom of God and Jr. High Girls.” (The following email is a summary of the tragic event).
“So, we had a real tragedy hit our community the other day when a 13 boy whom we have all known his whole life just collapsed and died on Sunday afternoon. They still don’t know the cause, but are doing an autopsy.
This happened after church in the church parking lot…and the details are quite stunning in themselves…including the little 10 yr. old girl who cradled his head in her lap while a 6 yr. old ran inside to find help. Little Josh died with precious Corina stroking his forehead and talking to him (she didn’t know he was dying).
We and everyone we know around here is connected to this family in 100 ways, and our home-school group of 200 kids have all had his mom as one of their tutors or drama directors and his siblings or him in classes and as friends…it’s a big web. You can imagine the reverberations of shock and grief.
I tell you this, Jackie, because a mom told me today that a group of girls who are friends with him and who are studying your book “Waiting for Your Prince” got together Tuesday and, in the midst of their own grief, wrote cards of encouragement to the tutors (moms who teach home school classes) who had him in their classes and to other kids in those classes. The mom said, “You know they thought to do this because of the book!” And I said, “Do you know that is about the MOST Jackie Kendall thing someone could do? Jackie is the Queen of the encouraging card! So there’s nothing more honoring to her teaching than their inclination to do that!” (One of those girls was Kelsey McLernon whom you acknowledge as our tween consultant on the book project, “Waiting for Your Prince”). In the midst of this extraordinary time–not least walking all these kids through this tragedy–this is another shining example of the Love of Jesus being spread as a result of your faithful teaching & wisdom Jacqueline Kendall”. (Ruthie)
Encouragement is a gift that each one of us can give daily. It doesn’t have to be a written card, it can be a kind remark made over the phone or an uplifting text. May the example of these Jr. High girls be a simple reminder of the wisdom of being encouraging to others.
“…he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.”(Prov. 11:25)
Recently Ken and I went to Walgreens the moment it opened in hopes of beating the rush at the pharmacy. We were thrilled to see our favorite pharmacist Amaka who was behind the counter. She was equally excited to see Ken and me. She has been fighting cancer and we have been praying for her. Her manner is always so loving and full of faith in God, never complaining about her struggle with cancer. Early this particular morning we noticed that she looked very thin and we both in concern whispered, “Is your treatment causing you to lose so much weight?” She motioned for us to come to a separate window and she leaned into us and whispered, “My 19 year old son just died.” We were so stunned that tears began to flow from all our eyes. Ken and I both grabbed her hands and started praying over her that moment. Because we came so early, no one was waiting in line, so we could comfort our sweet sister in Jesus right there in Walgreens pharmacy!
It is amazing to me how I remember not only your words but your facial expression, your tone of voice, your passion, as you spoke. I can remember almost verbatim some of your words of encouragement and your words still push me to love and worship even when my circumstances cause me to “feel” like wallowing in my own disappointments. I just want you to know that your life, your pain, your faith, has made a difference in the lives of so many people that you never even meet because you were willing to be honest, confront the pain, and worship through it. You were willing to be transparent and vulnerable and therefore you are relevant and remembered. Even though these days I forget what I did yesterday, I remember YOU. I remember your message. I sought your website out tonight because my 15 year old daughter just told me she will be doing a Lady In Waiting group Bible Study soon. My heart smiles to see my daughter about to benefit from your teaching the same way I did so many years ago. Blessings to you and your family and ministry. Thanks for pouring your heart and life out for others and for HIM. If you ever wonder what your impact is, know that it is greater than you can imagine. Thank you, Jennifer
My first mentor Mamie Hinch taught me to pay close attention to the musings of people who are getting ready to exit planet earth. From this instruction I have always paid close attention to Jesus’ final remarks found in John chapter 14-17. I have also been very sensitive to the last books written by great lovers of Jesus! Today while reading a familiar passage in II Peter I realized that I was reading Peter’s pre-exit comments. Peter was reminding Christians of what they needed to be diligent about in order to “fall proof” their walk with the Lord. He even mentioned that he was repeating himself to assure that his fellow Christians would be diligent to add the following to their lives.
I read that in the Hebrew Scriptures you sometimes asked a question not because you expected a literal answer, but because a question was another way to express your feelings. When a Hebrew asked “why,” it was a “lamah.” It was a question that expressed the painful struggle in the heart of the Hebrew who said, ‘lamah.’ King David asked God why (Psalm 22:1), but he had never intended to take Him to task with that question. His “why” was a “lamah” and He was not asking the Lord to explain Himself. He was merely pouring his heart out to God. He was telling his Lord that he felt abandoned.
manage the world, without my “post-it-note” reminders. Surrender Your Junior God Badge exposes a woman’s need to control which is often rooted in fear, insecurity, and lack of self-esteem, which you can overcome. God doesn’t need our help to run the universe or to control our part of the world and the people in it. Any woman can exchange frustration and exhaustion for peace, joy and freedom…Surrender Your Junior God Badge today!