A Step Of Faith

It was clear to see how the Lord was using Todd's death to bring many positive things out of it.  As I saw these positive events, I had a thought to write Dr. Peale a letter. I wanted him to know about all these positive things.  Plus, I wanted him to see that he had helped me view life differently than I had before.

I knew the Peale Center must get thousands of letters a day, but this didn't stop me.  I sat down at the table with an old green typewriter and started to type. This letter flowed out of me. I couldn't quite understand it, but I felt I wasn't writing this letter alone.  When I finished, I had a friend proofread it and put some finishing touches on the note.   Now I took a step of faith and mailed it to Dr. Peale. I truly believed if he was to read it, he would.

A few weeks later, the phone rang.  When I answered, I was delighted to be talking to Ric Cox, an editor from the Peale Center. Ric shared with me that Dr. Peale had received my letter.   The first thing Ric asked was if I was a professional writer. When I answered, "No, I'm just a mother." Ric remarked that the way I wrote the letter, they felt that I was.  I immediately said, "I can't explain it, but I didn't feel I was writing this letter alone. This letter flowed out of me like no letter I had ever written before."  Much to my surprise, Ric said he knew what I meant. 

There was more to this call; now Ric asked if I would be willing to allow the Peale Center to publish my letter in their magazine, PLUS. I was honored that Ric asked to use my letter. Of course, they had my permission to publish the letter.  Since this was a personal letter, Ric asked if I would add more details because it would be published.  I did the best I could, shedding a few tears along the way.

A few weeks later, I received a letter from the Peale Center.  The letter was the layout of my letter to Dr. Peale as it would appear in the magazine.  Much to my amazement, they had given my letter a name.  It appeared in bold print, "In Loving Memory of Todd" I dropped to my knees.  I couldn't believe my eyes.  Yes, the Lord was positively using Todd's death.  I could not have named this letter any better.