Discover the Book - Aug. 13, 2009

Loving Divine Style

1 Thessalonians 2:8 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” (NIV).

Love bears all hurts, wounds, sins and disappointments; covers them with a blanket of silence and feels sympathetic, redemptive and even bears the pain.  Love believes the best about people, is never cynical, is never suspicious -- in spite of the way it is being wounded.  And when love’s believing is betrayed, love turns to hope because God is still God and He can do anything.  And even when hope grows thin and all hope seems lost, love endures.  It endures deep hurt that seems so final, never losing the triumphant confidence that God who gives His children peace is still on the throne.  Love cares too much to give up.  

In October 1800 John Todd was born in Rutland, Vermont.  Soon afterward his parents moved to Killingworth, Connecticut.  When John was six years old, both his parents died.  A kind-hearted aunt in North Killingworth agreed to take John and give him a home.  He was brought up by her and lived in her home until he left to study for the ministry.

In middle life his aunt became seriously ill and feared she would die.  In great distress she wrote John Todd a pitiful letter in which she asked what death would be like.  Would it mean the end of everything, or is there beyond death a chance to continue living, loving and growing?  Here is the letter John Todd sent his aunt in reply:

     It is now thirty-five years since I as a little boy of six was left quite alone in                                                         the world.  You sent me word that you would give me a home and be a kind       mother to me.  I will never forget the day when I made the long journey of ten   miles to your house in North Killingworth.  I can still remember my  disappointment when instead of coming for me yourself, you sent Caesar to  fetch me.

    I well remember my tears and anxiety as perched high on your horse and clinging tight to Caesar I rode off to my new home.  Night fell before we finished the journey, and as it grew dark, I became lonely and afraid.  “Do you think she’ll go to bed before we get there?” I asked Caesar anxiously.  “Oh, no,” he said reassuringly.  “She’ll stay up for you.  When we get out of these here woods, you’ll see her candle shinin’ in the window.”  Presently we did ride out into the clearing, and there, sure enough, was your candle.  I remember you were waiting at the door, that you put your arms close about me and that you lifted me -- a tired and bewildered little boy -- down from the horse.  You had a fire burning on the hearth, a hot supper waiting on the stove.  After supper you took me to my room, heard me say my prayers, and then sat beside me till I fell asleep.

      You probably realize why I am recalling all of this to your memory.   Someday soon God will send for you to take you to a new home.  Don’t fear the summons, the strange journey or the dark messenger of death.  God can be trusted to do as much for you as you were kind enough to do for me so many years ago.  At the end of the road you will find love and a welcome awaiting and you will be safe in God’s care.  I shall watch you and pray for you till you are out of sight and then wait for the day when I shall make the journey myself and find my Savior and you waiting at the end of the road to greet me.

--From the autobiography of John Todd

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