A few years ago, Patty Jones found me through the Edisto Island church website and began sending me messages of encouragement. Patty offers prayers for our congregation and has been a great source of personal encouragement for me. Somehow, Patty finds the strength to spread Christ’s love and hope despite many personal trials that she faces.
This summer, Patty was very sick. Many people thought that she would not live much longer. In the midst of her pain, she sent the following to her friends to offer encouragement. I am happy to report that today Patty, my friend and sister, is still fighting to let her light shine. With her permission, here is her message:
I woke this morning to the sounds of the birds singing and the rain softly falling on the roof. All day long we hear different sounds and forget them quickly. I love to listen to soothing music and the beautiful voices of my family. Some noises are dreaded: the crying of a child in pain, an emergency siren and the phone ringing late at night after a hard day. When we lie down and wait for sleep to come noises take on a life of their own. We often want to cover our heads and hide at each bump in the night. Sometimes at the end of the day I tend to go over the mistakes and shortcomings in my life. I can almost hear the beating of my own heart. But, out in distance, I hear a sound that took place over 2000 years ago. I can hear it as if it were right outside my door. It is the sound of metal striking metal. A swish sounds in the air and again the pounding over and over. It is a horrible sound that makes me tremble. I want to shut it out and yet that sound freed me from my past and gives me a future. It gives me peace from my heavenly father and you must hear it, too. It is the sound of the hammer driving the nails into the hands and feet of my Lord. With each stroke I hear my heavenly Father saying because of this, my child, you can have the gift of eternal life.
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