[Exhort]- an example

I want to tell you all what happened to me today. 

I got home from work around 1:30 and eagerly picked up the mail first thing, as usual. I love opening the mail. There were 3 envelopes. I opened up the first envelope...a library fine…a big library fine. I accidentally left a book on a plane ride over Christmas and now have to pay up. Ah, well.  Then another envelope. It was from the Wheaton Cemetery...it was a Cemetery Deed for Jonan's burial plot.  I have never had a deed to a burial plot before. I read the deed; I ran my fingers over the "official seal". It was as if the finality of Jonan's death was sealed within that envelope.

I began to weep.  

After a few moments later I opened the third and last envelope. It was a card from the Residence Life staff I worked with last year, all the RAs who are about to graduate from college. It had a card with kind words and a generous cash offering, particularly for college students. We received many cards for weeks, but it has been a while since we have received another. I could not believe the timing of this gift of thought and resources. The reminder of loss, then the reminder of love and support. The Lord has not let me go "unheld" by His arms moment by moment. This experience today reminded me so much of what I just wrote last night. About exhorting one another daily that we are not hardened in our hearts. I was so encouraged today by this act of love and sacrifice.