August 2000

Over twnty years ago, I received a letter from my sister telling me that she did not want me to be a part of her life or her family, any more. She stated that her daughter's family expressed the same sentiment. I had just been served divorce papers, my mother had died, and now this. All of this occured right before Christmas in a three week span.

Even though my sister and niece wanted to disown me, I still prayed for them. I never really knew the reason behind them wanting to disown me. To this day, I still do not know why. I still sent them birthday and Christmas cards, but got no reply.

My niece, Lisa, came down with breast cancer. I prayed for her and her family. I knew it was going to be a long haul for them. My prayers and thoughts were always with them. She is now cancer free, ten years later.

One weekend I was struggling with my spiritual hope. I was talking long distance to a friend of mine, David, when the call-waiting on my phone rang in. Normally I would have said, "They will call back if it is important." This time I answered it. The voice on the other end of the telephone line said, "This is Valarie." I said, "There is no one here named Valerie." She again said, "No,This is Valerie!" I said, "I'm sorry, but I do not know a Valerie. Are you sure you have the right number?" She then said, "This is your great niece, Valerie." I could not believe my ears! The last time I saw this little girl she was six weeks old. All of these years of waiting and not losing hope.

She said, "Uncle Jimmy, I just called to tell you that I love you." I fought back the tears. Then, my niece, Lisa, got on the phone and said, "We all love you, Uncle Jimmy!" I told them that I loved them too. That was all that was said-a couple of sentences-But it seemed like a lifetime. I started crying like a baby.

God just gave me a message, "All is not lost." The picture of hope looked much brighter. Funny thing was, my great-niece was calling me from my sisters house (the one that disowned me.)

How did that little six year old know my telephone number? She also had to have known that she might get in trouble for calling me up.