“but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to
anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect” (1Peter 3:15).
Waiting in the DFW departure lounge, my author-friend, Rebecca Barlow Jordan and I
heard the announcement, “Your flight has been delayed due to bad weather in Atlanta.”
Disappointing news as we anticipated attending the annual Christian Booksellers Convention
there.
A passenger sitting next to us turned our way and lamented, “Oh no, my family will be
waiting for me at the airport.” As I sympathized with her about the delay we chatted awhile
about travels and our families. Then I felt prompted to ask, “Do you like to read?”
Peggy responded, “Oh yes! I love to read!”
That was my clue. When traveling I always carry an extra book, and I pray the Lord will
show me to whom it should go. As I reached into my attaché case and gave her a copy of
Touching the Clouds, I explained, “I’d like to give you this book of encouraging stories. I
interviewed fifteen women who had undergone life-changing, difficult experiences and how their
faith in God brought them through. At the close of each story is a section to help the reader apply
the element of faith demonstrated. Two stories are my own.”
Peggy seemed genuinely grateful and began examining the back cover and the Table of
Contents. Then she started to cry and asked, “How did you know? My best friend’s husband
took his life last night. She is devastated and so am I. I feel so alone I don’t know what to do.”
Just then, the attendant called Peggy’s flight number. Rebecca and I simultaneously
stood, hugged her, and said, “We’ll be praying for you, Peggy.” As she hurried to the plane, I
really didn’t expect to ever hear from her again, although I had tucked a business card inside the
book.
When I returned home the following week, she had sent this email:
Hello Fran,
I am the woman you gave your book to at the DFW airport. I just wanted to tell you that
God reached out to me through you, and I believe that your book has a two-fold purpose—to let
me know He has things under control and to let my friend know she is not alone. What came to
me loud and clear on that airplane is that I need to trust God. I needed that then and I am still
finding it to be a source of comfort.
I am going to step out in faith and let you know that I am a recovering addict with the last
twelve years clean. I belong to a fellowship called Narcotics Anonymous and now Touching the
Clouds has found its way to a circle of women who are searching and seeking a better
understanding of God.
Devotions to Go/Sandin
Please use my name if you share this story—it is a powerful testament to the realness of
our Lord. God did for me what I could not do for myself. He used your book to give me
encouragement to build a relationship with Him. I can never thank you enough!
Wow! I felt overwhelmed. In subsequent communication Peggy related that she and her
friend attended a grief recovery seminar together and began attending a women’s Bible study at a
local church. Peggy confessed that she and her husband had both changed through their
newfound relationship with Christ. They began attending church regularly and opened a new
chapter in their lives.
Dear Father God, I am sharing this divine encounter to honor You and give You all the
glory. Only You can change hearts and lives. I am thankful for the prompting of the Holy Spirit
to share the women’s stories with Peggy. Through them she could see that You are real and that
You truly care for each individual, regardless of past issues. Please give us many opportunities
to share Your amazing and loving grace with others. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.