Two weeks ago, on April 1, a carpenter friend called to tell me he was sending me an end table made of salvaged doors. Yesterday, the table arrived I can no longer accuse the carpenter, Scott Newport, of perpetrating a bad April Fool’s Day joke.
Scott’s one of the people I’ve met on the way to writing my book for parents of critically and chronically ill children. We met through Shelly Beach, author of Precious Lord, Take My Hand, a devotional book for caregivers. I met her at an Iowa writing conference she conducts in Iowa each year. Since she heard about my book idea, she’s been my biggest cheerleader in the publishing world. Scott met her at a conference she conducts in Michigan. When Shelly heard about their son Evan, she encouraged me to contact Scott. Since he heard about my book, he’s been my second biggest cheerleader in the publishing world.
This summer, I’m attending a conference near where Shelly lives and not far from where Scott lives. When Shelly heard I was coming she insisted on hosting me. When Scott heard I was coming, he suggested I meet his family. I suggested I interview him and his wife for my book. I can hardly believe this is all happening.
Two and a half years ago, my book was a germ of an idea. Next year it will be a reality. Already, I’ve made two great new friends and been given an end table. If that’s any indication of what comes from obeying God’s command to share the hard bits of life and the hope in Christ with strangers, I’m in for the count. I may need to invest in a bigger address book to keep track of my new friends. Maybe I should talk to Hiram about adding some rooms to the house for all the new furniture.
But for now, all I can say is thank you, Scott, and thank you, Shelly, for cheering me on. Your kindness has blessed my life.
