Six-year-old Elena Desserich was diagnosed with pediatric brain cancer. Her parents were told that she had only 5 months to live. Soon after the diagnosis, she lost her ability to speak, so Elena turned to writing. In the final weeks of her life, Elena began to secretly hide love notes throughout the house, intended to be found by her family after she was gone. She had quietly tucked notes between CD’s, hidden them in clothing drawers, placed them between stacks of fine china dishes, and slipped them into boxes of photographs. Elena’s parents continued to find little notes long after her death. Most said, “I love you Mom, Dad and Gracie.”
The book, Notes Left Behind, is a compilation of these notes from Elena to the ones she loved. The profits from the book go to a foundation to help find a cure for cancer. We can learn a lot from the loving heart of a child. Elena taught us that love needs to be communicated. It is only understood if/when it is expressed. She had the wisdom to leave behind hundreds of reminders of her love for her family. Do the people in your family and circle of friends have any permanent expressions of your love and appreciation for them?
The apostle John wrote in I John 3:18 –“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” And, although I know it’s not hiding it for you to find later…. to my Crossroads Church family: I love you all very much and am very thankful for the trust/honor of serving as one of your pastors.
Pray with me…. Father in heaven, our gratitude for Your Word is strong and deep, for in it we have revealed the written testimony of Your love for Your people Israel in the Old Testament, and Your people who are called by the name of Your Son, Jesus, from New Testament times right up to the present day. In You we are secure and blessed and strengthened and comforted in every trial. In the name of Jesus we pray, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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