Dear Melissa

Four years ago on this day, I received the call that would forever change our lives.  For lots of reasons, I've never written the specific details of that day, of Elena's injury and what followed.  Some of you know, some of you don't and most of you don't know even the whole story.  I hope to be able to share that with you some day and I'm certain I will.  But just for today, I want to share something else with you.  I want to show you the awesome power of God's grace.  There is nothing we could ever do to find ourselves undeserving of it.  And I want to tell you that it's for you.  Yes, even you.  It's for you, Melissa.

November 3, 2015

Dear Melissa,

I forgive you.

Only God knows the number of tears I have shed during the last four years.  I have carried a bitter burden of anger in my heart towards you each day for four years.  You set our lives on a course we had never dreamed.  But God has held our family in the palm of his hand.  In the car on the way to the hospital that day, I could barely breathe.  I couldn't think.  I couldn't even pray.  I literally screamed Jesus' name the entire car ride.  From that moment, He has always been there wrapping me in his love and assurance, not once ever failing or forsaking me.

But, through all the pain and suffering, I have emerged whole.  Only God can make that happen.  Only a just, loving Father can take what happened and create a masterpiece of changed hearts.  And He is the only reason I can wake up every day with joy in my heart and extend forgiveness to you.

The bitterness in my heart for you is gone.  I have been set free from that burden.  In it's place is a peace that passes all understanding.  And I want you to know that.  

I will never understand why this happened to our precious Elena, but I find great joy in knowing the lives she has touched and the light she is to me and so many.  Only God could take our tragedy and weave it into the beautiful life He has restored to us.  She is our greatest blessing.

I don't know the impact that this has had on you.  But know that I will pray for you to know and accept the unending love and grace that Jesus gives us all.

In God's love,
Emmalee

I hope you, who have followed our story from the early days while still at Riley, understand the difficulty it has taken for me to be able to reach this point (I shake even as I type this).  You may remember the ant/tapestry analogy I used early on.  This is my tapestry.  When I realized I needed to extend God's mercy and grace to this person, I had a glimpse of my tapestry.  I can't describe to you the awe and humility I felt at that moment.  Four years worth of questions, prayers, blessings, "coincidences" collided into that moment with stunning conviction for this to be my next step.  I am living Ephesians 3:20.  God HAS been able to do immeasurably more than I ever asked or imagined.  Maybe not the physical healing for my baby that we so desperately longed for, but gosh, the hearts that have been changed.  Mine.  Chad's. Yours?  You guys, physical healing is so obvious and so understandable but what God really cares about are hearts, souls.  They are what last an eternity.  I think about my heart before all of this, during all of this, and now, coming through all of this and it is changed.  Wholly.  Holy.

A dear, dear friend whose wise words and fervent prayers have helped guide me through this process of forgiveness sent me a text the other day while she was in church singing "It Is Well With My Soul", saying it made her think of me.  It was the perfect way to describe what this forgiveness has done in me.  I am unburdened.  I am free.  It is well with my soul.  I am no longer the Emmalee screaming on the way to the hospital, unable to breathe.  No longer is He carrying me, I'm walking with Him.  Praise God.

When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrows like sea billows roll

What ever my lot you have taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul

Though the devil will ruin, though trials may come

Let this blessed assurance control

That Christ has regarded my helpless estate

And He shed His own blood for my soul

It is well, with my soul

It is well, it is well with my soul