Dear Jesus,
It seems rather strange to write a letter instead of just talking to you. I hope I can share some things that have impacted my life in the almost 84 years of knowing you.
My earliest prayer was addressed to you as: “Gentle Jesus, meek and mild, look upon a little child.”
As I grew older it was:
“Jesus, Tender Shepherd hear me,
Bless Thy little lamb tonight.
Through the darkness be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.”
Sometimes I still feel like a little child and want to pray to “Gentle Jesus” and “Jesus Tender Shepherd,” but as I have grown older I have come to know “The Lord is My Shepherd” and I still feel safe knowing my Shepherd is constantly near.
My Shepherd, you have led me in pastures green. You have provided me with every good thing, family, friends, jobs, food, and shelter. I have traveled this country from east to west and you have always been with me. I am sure that I have strayed from the path you chose for me many times, but always you gently guided me back, and I am so very grateful.
There have been times, Jesus, when I have been in the valley – loss of a job, illness, discouragement, and the loss of loved ones and friends to the enemy, death. But I never had need to despair for as always, “Thou art with me.” I have never had to bear hard times alone.
Right now I am passing through another dark valley. The valley of excruciating pain, uncertainty, and waiting for doctors’ decisions. But I know that “Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” I remind myself that the pain you suffered far exceeded mine and maybe there are lessons for me to learn.
You have surrounded me with the prayers of my church friends. You have sent many of your under-shepherds to come alongside to help and encourage me. They shop for me, pick up medications, give me rides to appointments whether near or far (even as far as San Diego). Just recently someone gifted me with a wheelchair so that I could visit a very dear friend and another friend helped to facilitate the visit. I feel so very blessed to have such a church and friends.
Just last week I came home from an appointment to which I had driven myself and realized that I had locked myself out of my house. The extra key I usually keep in the car I had failed to replace after a similar incident. Getting to the spot outside where I keep a key hidden would have been painful and unsafe. Just as I was considering my options, a friend who had been doing some shopping for me arrived. How wonderful you are, just in time when I needed help. My friend also took me to the bank to make a transaction involving my ATM card where I found out that my card had been compromised and had to be reissued. What an on-time God you are!
One of my favorite childhood songs from the old “Christ In Song” hymnbook was the song: “O the Best Friend to Have Is Jesus.”
“O the best friend to have is Jesus every day,
O the best friend to have is Jesus all the way,
He will help you when you fall,
He will hear you when you call,
O the best friend to have is Jesus.”
As I grew older I learned: “What A Friend we Have in Jesus.”
“What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear,
What a privilege to carry,
Everything to God in prayer.”
Today I sing: “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.”
“All the way my Savior leads me,
What have I to ask besides,
Can I doubt His tender mercies,
Who through life has been my guide,
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell,
For I know what-e’er befalls me,
Jesus doeth all things well.”
I have to admit that while the world is celebrating your birth I am looking forward to your return.
I trust you, my Savior, my Friend, my Shepherd. And I will close with my childhood prayer.
“Jesus tender Shepherd hear me,
Bless Thy little lamb tonight,
Through the darkness, be Thou near me,
Keep me safe till morning light.
All this day Thy hand has led me,
And I thank Thee for Thy care,
Thou has warmed me clothed and fed me,
Listen to my evening prayer.
May my sins be all forgiven,
Bless the friends I love so well,
Take us all at last to heaven,
Happy there with Thee to dwell.”
I love you Jesus, my Shepherd.
Your loving child,
Beth
Beth McCalla is the mother of two, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of seven.