The Friend I've Never Met

For almost a decade I have known of a woman.

I have yet to meet her, although she is a dear friend.

This woman paints, and although I do not think she is famous, I have spent many an hour looking at, and being comforted by her paintings.

This woman never knew that I looked at her paintings. They are in a public and yet private place.

One day it occurred to me that this woman likely did not know that her life had affected many.

Was she like so many of us that have an effect on multitudes and yet sees herself as insignificant?

I did not know for sure, but felt compelled to write her...to let her know that she had significance beyond what she could imagine.

Upon receipt of that letter, I found out painful news.

This precious lady had cancer.

Advanced cancer.

I felt compelled to crochet a shawl for her.

A yellow one to symbolize the sun. A cheerful color.

Then I felt compelled to crochet another.

A peach colored one. It looked so peaceful.

Then I heard God's voice say, "Crochet her yet another, in royal colors, to remind her that she is royal...a princess...a child of the king."

One day as my heart was heavy, I prayed,"God, speak to me. Tell me what you want me to say to her."

Instead of words, a picture. A picture of Jesus reaching out his arms to her. Clothes stained and dirty as he went through the trenches with her.

I asked God, "How do I convey this to her?"

He said, "Give your most precious picture to her."

I said, "The picture of Jesus holding the little lamb? The lamb that is me?"

"Yes, that picture."

"Yes Lord. It is time to pass the picture on. Time for someone else to ponder the picture and see the comfort of your arms."

So freely I gave.

Then,

The news.

Cancer?

Me?

So long to wait. The wait to know how bad it would be.

But during the wait I remembered, "She knows how I feel."

I was comforted.

I received a picture. An antique one from her. A picture of Jesus' little lambs.

I cried. "Jesus, the tapestry of our lives that you weave. It is so intricate."

"You knew a forehand what I would need."

"You spoke to me before I knew her need and caused me to write to her."

You, God, are amazing.

I wonder if the friend I've never met knows how amazing she is?

Does she realize that the people she has touched; the people she has influenced; the people she has encouraged, have in turn encouraged others?

I think of one person in particular that she has influenced, who in turn helped me through the pit of despair so many years ago and encourages me still.

Friend I have never met, you call me precious, but you are the precious one.

You will never know how many people you have blessed, just by being the you God wanted you to be.