Park Cities Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Kathleen's letter

By Terri Speicher

Published February 1, 2010 in Witness

In the last issue of PCPC WITNESS, intern Jaceson Jennings told the story of Kathleen, a bone marrow transplant patient he met and ministered to for several weeks after a hospital technician spoke to him in the hall seeking someone to comfort Kathleen. Here is a letter Jaceson received from Kathleen before Christmas (slightly edited for her family’s privacy).

December 2, 2009

Dear Jaceson,

I have thought of you and your church family many times over the past few months. I never dreamed that one who had studied the Bible seriously for 23 years and had taught for Bible Study Fellowship the past six could ever have found themselves in the pit in which I landed. I know it was the providence of God that sent that patient tech into my room that day. She didn’t normally work that side, and I never saw her again, but she took the time to see more than just a bed that needed to be changed; she saw the inside of my heart. I never dreamed she would walk out of that room, see you in the hall (having come to see Margaret [Eldridge]), and think enough of my hurt to approach you to tell you I was in need.

The true story was I was beyond need. I had allowed myself to fill my heart with fear, anxiety, and doubt. Would God really do what I needed Him to? [Kathleen refers here to a personal situation in her family.] There have been times when I have become totally paralyzed while others watched as I followed God’s will for me, thinking that my life must be perfect. But I know that fear kept me from being used for His highest glory because I would not totally bend to His will. It was only by His grace that I could do what He asked of me.

When you came in that day and were willing to pray and to share God’s Word with me, it was just the beginning of what God wanted to do in my life. Each time you came or a member of your church kindly visited me, the words that were spoken were the ones I needed to point me back to what I know to be true. God does not let us down. Oh, we may experience some bumps in the road—many I’ve dug myself—but God has never placed me or anyone else in a situation that cannot bring Him glory...

The best blessing I received from my stay at Baylor was the reminder of God’s promises, listening to you singing of our precious Savior, reading from the Heidelberg Catechism, and the wonderful sermons you provided. I was spiritually starved, and you and your church took the time to feed me back to spiritual health.

Now that I’m home I’m still unable to attend church, and unfortunately our church does not have the outreach ministry of PCPC. So I read for myself, listen to the Word on TV, and replay the sermons you graciously shared with me. You and your church will never fully know what you did for me by being willing to seize an unexpected opportunity that the Lord placed in front of you that day.

I am doing well. It has been nearly four months since my transplant, and my doctor seems pleased most of the time. But I will never forget you or your precious church; in fact, I consider myself an out-of-town member of PCPC! When I’m well and come to Dallas, [my husband] and I both are looking forward to visiting your church. We have no doubts the worship of the Lord will be awesome.

I did want you to know that I am claiming two verses and praying them. The first is from Nehemiah 8:10: ”This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” I really want that joy and strength so that I can answer as Isaiah did in Isaiah 6:8: ”Here am I. Send me.” I look forward with great anticipation to what the Lord will allow me to do during this time of healing and afterwards.

Jaceson, I really would not have made it through the transplant had it not been for God’s intervention and you listening to His call. God bless you and PCPC. You will always be on our hearts.

In Christ’s love,

Kathleen

Kathleen now receives PCPC sermon CDs on a regular basis.