Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (I Timothy 1:17, ESV)
It was a work of Providence I might have missed. I have no idea how long the book sat on the shelf waiting for me to buy it. But I do know it was there just for me, for us, just for the moment we would need it.
That moment would be one every mother who has watched her son go to war knows. It’s an indescribable emptiness. But an almighty God can reach down to fill a heart’s void. And He can use any little nook or cranny to do so.
My daughter and I were in an antique store passing time as we waited to see my son off. He was deploying to Iraq.
While we shopped, his unit was on base packing equipment. Families would see our soldiers later that evening for a short time before they left for their departure point.
A yearlong deployment lay ahead.
But there on the shelf sat his favorite book. It cost only a couple of dollars. The Good Earth, by Pearl S. Buck. How good it would be to give him a book he loved.
But there was more.
As we were helping him pack later and preparing to say farewell, my daughter picked the book up and read the back cover flap.
“This book can be sent to a serviceman anywhere in the world for the price of a postage stamp.”
The book was copyrighted in 1942. Published for soldiers during World War II–when my father served–it landed in the hands of my soldier son decades later.
I wondered where it had traveled and who had already read it.
Buck’s masterpiece is about a man who battles hunger and injustice. Not quite war–rather wars of a different sort. He had moments of glory, times he didn’t do the right thing.
He was, in short, like all of us.
Even before my son read it, it was a book I had come to love. I’d read it because it was my husband’s favorite book. Paper ideas about important things in life. Paper becomes glue connecting those who’ve read a book and discussed its meaning.
When my son left for war, he carried a piece of home and history with him.
I still had moments of emptiness, moments of worry during that year. But a great God had put a book on a shelf for us to find that day–to remind us that He sees. He cares. He loves.
This time of year is when we celebrate His coming.
He came to give us more than “chance” literature on a shelf. He came to give Himself to us and for us.
Emmanuel—God with us.
Merry Christmas.
I am always amazed at the power of the written word . . . and that power is only a shadow of the power of the Living Word!
Amen, Ava. A reflection of the power of the Living Word–I love that! Thanks and God bless!
Wow! What a great story and an awesome testimony of God’s Providence. Thanks to your son for serving our country!
Thank you, Lisa. God bless!
Thank you to your son for serving and protecting us. The Word of God is for everyone and is filled with His love and glory.
Thank you, Melissa. God bless!
Loved this story. Thanks to your son’s service!
Thank you, Sylvia. God bless!
What an amazing blessing and God wink. I pray God will continue to watch over your son and give you peace. Thank you for your son’s service too.
Thank you, Yvonne. Thank you for your prayers. That son is out of the service now, but his brother has deployed twice and is still eligible to go again. God bless our service men and women. God bless those who pray!
There is no coincidence in God. He orchestrates every detail of our lives. What a beautiful story!
He does, indeed, Terri. Thanks and God bless!
A wonderful book! Thank you for sharing your family’s experience of generational love for this well told tale. It would be hard to send a son or daughter off to war. I glad you could send his favorite book along.
It is hard. Thanks, Melinda. God bless and happy New Year!
And a (belated) Merry Christmas and on-time Happy New Year to you, Nancy!
You too, Mitch! Thanks and God bless!
Oh, Nancy, I loved every word. This is a wonderful example of how the Lord is always working behind the scenes on our behalf. Even when we never see the results, we know it’s true. Such an amazing story that touched my heart. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for reading, Karen. God bless and happy New Year!
Nancy, what a beautiful and profound remembrance of a deeply impactful moment. There is nothing quite like a mother’s love for her children. Though I have watched my children leave for one thing or another, it was never to leave for war. I can’t imagine. But God. He lovingly seeps into the cracks and tears of our hearts to find us, love us and carry us. Merry Christmas and happy new year to you and your family!
Merry Christmas and happy New Year to you too, Melissa. Thanks and God bless!
What a great story! Books truly do change hearts and lives and remind us of the important thing: God and God’s will.
Thanks, Jessica. I told him before he went: It doesn’t matter where you are. It only matters what God has planned for you. Happy New Year and God bless!
Wonderful story, Nancy! And thank you to your son and all our military members for their service.
Thank you, Annie. God bless and Happy New Year!