GRACE for Jill

GRACE for Jill

Jill, magnificent creation! She is intelligent, energetic and like me, creative. Best of all, when she laughs she’s so beautiful. It’s a pleasure to be in her presence. These thoughts might well be from Joseph, her husband, for more than twenty-six years.

“Creation” might lead one to guess it is the author’s fascination with his principal character in   Baggage Burdens. In truth the real Jill moved me to spend more than six years writing about her and praying for her. A cloud that often hid her inner beauty and joy had to be removed. To counter the times her troubles splashed on other good people and disheartened me, I shaved of my beard. It was the first time I had done so in thirty-three years. I had learned she didn’t trust men wearing beards. To reduce her enduring needless trials I had to continue to hold her in high regard. The shaved beard reminded me of that commitment. It served as a sign of my commitment to helping her. In the end I failed, but knew of another who cared for her more than I.

Jill is God’s masterpiece. At the time I met her she was a work in progress, a work that began when she was a child, a pruning work I expected would continue until her life produced grapes for the finest wine.

A person with a disability requires a firm commitment from their caregivers. People with extensive time and patience are hard often to find. It’s blessing to know and see that during our dark times God is there for us even when we aren’t able to recognize his role in our lives. Baggage Burdens. shows God’s care for Jill through the work of his people.

The fear created in Jill by her father functions as a disability in Jill’s life. Many times it tests her strong will. Many times God channels His grace through church worshipers.

Gramma Maxwell, Jill's sister and a friend rescue homeless Jill and arrange for her to connect with her grandmother, Josey, a woman of strong faith.

Jill’s journey to Alberta results in employment with Mary Preszchuk. Mary is also her landlord, an active member in her church, and a person who becomes one of Jill’s most trusted friends.

Jill’s choice of Joseph for her husband brings Jill into a very conservative church community. Rebecca, a close neighbor, accepts Jill even though Jill’s liberal ways don’t mesh with her religious community. While Jill’s relationship with members of the conservative community is frequently strained, at times she experiences their loving care.

Jill is drawn to Ann, Mary’s sister. Ann’s efforts lead Jill to meeting Jill’s niece, Julie, and Jill joining Ann’s church. Later Julie’s support and faith nurture Jill’s religious development. It is through the church that Jill meets Bill, a man whose witnessing brings Jill into a closer relationship with God.

Lucky Jill! How is it possible so many people of faith could have been around her when she needed them? Suspect that the author’s imagination arranged those good meetings? While I’d have to plead guilty, I also see that is a way in which God works. His work is good. Right? As in real life, Jill meets other people who are also good, but it is through God’s people that Jill comes to know God.

Who can you think of who enriched your faith?

Baggage Burdens. is not only about the challenges faced by Jill and those close to her. There were many good times. That’s the subject of the next blog.