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WRITE 2 THE HEART
Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart"
May 4, 2004
Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator@write2theheart.com.
Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new
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moderator@write2theheart.com. We always love to hear stories
from new, first time writers. Until the end of June, I have a writer’s
appreciation gift of a bookmark and pin for each writer whose
story appears in Write 2 the Heart. There is a limit of three per
author. There will be a new appreciation gift offered in July.
Prayer changes lives. But what to pray when the person you are
reaching out to is at the end of their rope? This problem faced
Sandra. Quickly she prayed for the words and in a flash, God gave
her the words to pray. Then He allowed her to see the fulfillment
of that prayer.
What Does Anna Need?
By Sandra McGarrity
She was a beautiful, young woman with her honey colored hair
and expressive eyes. She moved with feminine grace and spoke
softly. She was kind and hard working. "Why?" I asked myself,
God, or anyone that would listen. "Why would a man be
unfaithful to a wife like her?" I don't know why her husband was
unfaithful to her, but he had been. By the time I met her at our
church daycare where we were both working, she had already
survived the divorce. For the sake of her privacy, I am going to
call her "Anna.”
Anna came to work every day with her less than a year old son
perched on one arm, towing her three year old son with the other
hand, and somehow managing to lug along a purse, diaper bag, and
three lunches. I never heard her complain. In fact, she showed up
in much the same manner to all of the church services. She
willingly took her turn serving in the church nursery. She took full
responsibility for providing a home for her children.
After I had known her for awhile, I asked her, "What happened
between you and your husband? She simply stated, "He was
unfaithful. He wasn't sorry for it. I couldn't stay with him." She
didn't elaborate on the story and she didn't dwell on it in her daily
life. It was another woman that told me about Anna's coming
home to find her husband with another man.
One Sunday night, she came for prayer during the church
service. As the wife of the assistant pastor, I was often called upon
to pray with someone. On that night, the pastor silently signaled
for me to come to pray with her.
"What can I pray with you?" I asked her.
She was in tears. "I don't mean to complain," she began, "but,
life is so hard. I feel so alone. I don't know what to do."
I calmly answered, "Let's pray." Inwardly, I did some hasty
praying of my own. "Help! What should I pray for? What does
Anna need?"
The answer came to me immediately. It wasn't a voice or a
vision, but I knew in my heart what I had to pray for. Still, I
hesitated. "What if my prayer isn't answered?" I might give her
false hope. Worse than that, I might make myself look foolish.
I had hesitated for as long as I could. I had to do something; I
had to plunge in. "Father, Anna is alone. We know that you care
for her. She has been so faithful in her life. I believe that she
needs a good husband to share her life and to help her. We are
asking tonight that you give her a husband. Amen."
She arose from prayer with a radiant smile. I arose a little
stunned about what I had prayed, but somehow, at peace.
A week later, our pastor announced in the service that one of
our local navy men had suffered an eye injury in an accident on the
ship. He asked that we pray for this young man. He had attended
our church only a few times, so I really didn't know him, but joined
the congregation in prayer for his recovery.
Anna put feet to her prayers. She visited him in the hospital
several times. A friendship grew between them. After his time in
the hospital, he attended church regularly and they began sitting
together during services. The friendship quickly blossomed into
romance. I was surprised, but Anna didn't seem to be at all
surprised. She wasn't surprised when they began to date. Within a
few months they were married.
I enjoyed seeing them become a little family. He was a
wonderful husband to her and a good father to her children. She
was elated. A year later, they added a third son to the family and
moved away to a larger apartment. They eventually moved to
another state when his time with the Navy was finished. I have
lost touch with her, but I will never forget God's love for that
single mother.
Sandra McGarrity
mygr8m8 @ aol.com
My writing has appeared in Virtue, Whispers from heaven,
Personal Journaling, etc. I have two stories in the God Allows U-
Turns Series. I am the author of two Christian novels.
I reside in Chesapeake, VA with my husband of 31 years. We
have 2 daughters,2 grandsons, and 3 cats.
You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know
what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story?
Send it to: moderator@write2theheart.com.
Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen.
They have several long distance plans to chose from; I personally
use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my
own toll free number for my family to be able to call home when
they are out of town. I have used it more times than I care to
remember over the last three years in emergency situations.
Cognigen has more than just great long distance rates; they have
calling cards, internet access, web hosting services and much more.
You can check out all of their telecommunication products and
services at http://ld.net/?cbspeir.
Letters From Our Readers
As I read the My Neighbor story, I’m glad Janet met and
ministered to a new friend. But parts of it angered me. That the
lady’s husband would insist she fly home when it would hurt her
health upset me. That the lady would blame President Bush
angered me. Being a neighbor works BOTH ways.
L. C. Tims
Military Prayer Reminder
As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to
pray for these young people and their families:
Chris Speir
Tim Speir
Alan
Thaddeaus
Todd Holland
Graham
William
Julie Sagel
Jessie
Marshal Thompson
Jason
Eric Hernandez
Kristin Danielson
Ken Prieur
Ryan
Jonathan P. Wells
Larry Miele
Daniel
Amy
John
Joanne
Gary Boardwine
Josh
Hadassah
Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and
our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military,
or who are being called to go overseas, send their names
(first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer
reminder.
Cheryl’s Corner
I just received wonderful news. Write 2 the Heart has received
an award from FaithWriters.com. We have been selected as one of
the Net's finest family safe sites. I want to give a big thank you to
all our writers and subscribers, it would not have happened without
you!
And Chris, May the fourth be with you! (For new subscribers,
that’s happy birthday today to my Star Wars fan son.)
In thanksgiving,
Cheryl
Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart
Nothing may be reproduced or published without
the written permission of the individual author or
copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.
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