I read of a man involved in a terrible accident. When they freed his

mangled body, there was so little life left that he was almost given up for

dead. But when the surgeons had finished their work there remained only a

wreck of a man.

Both legs were gone; the left arm was missing together with part of the

collar bone. Only a finger and thumb remained on the right hand. There

was only enough left of the man that had been, to suffer and remember.

But he still possessed a brilliant mind, enriched with a good education and

broadened with world travel. And it was all wasted. There was nothing

he could do but remain a helpless sufferer.

A thought came to him. It was always nice to receive letters, but why not

write them – he could still use his right hand with some difficulty. But

who could he write to? Was there anyone shut in and incapacitated like he

was who could be encouraged by his letters. He thought of men in prison –

they did have some hope of release whereas he had none – but it was worth a

try.

He wrote to a Christian organisation concerned with prison ministry. He

was told that his letters could not be answered – it was against prison

rules, but he commenced this one sided correspondence.

He wrote twice a week and it taxed his strength to the limit. But into

those letters he put his whole soul, all his experience, all his faith, all

his wit, and all his Christian optimism. It must have been hard writing

those letters, often in pain, and particularly when there was no reply.

Frequently he felt discouraged and was tempted to give it up. But it was

his one remaining activity and he resolved to continue as long as he could.

At last he got a letter. It was very short, written on prison stationery

by the officer whose duty it was to censor the mail. All it said was:

“Please write on the best paper you can afford. Your letters are passed

from cell to cell till they literally fall to pieces.”

No matter what our personal situation is, we still have God-given gifts and

talents, experience and encouragement that we can share with others.

Have a good week. Pastor Ron

Optional Bible reading: 2 Peter 1:3-11.