I hesitate to post this very personal letter, but I do so in the chance that God might use it to challenge, bless, or encourage someone.
Dearest Sister,
I struggle to know what to write, but I am compelled to do so. As we enter this holiday season your absence is felt intensely. I wonder if you realize how much we love you and how much we miss you. Do you know how anxiously your daddy watches for you each Sunday at church, waiting for the day when you will come home with an attitude of repentance, seeking restoration? Just yesterday, as I sat in church listening to God's Word, my heart was full of love for you and sorrow to the point where I was sobbing, crying out to the Lord for you. Our hearts are broken over the choices that you have made, yet we continue to hope that through all of this, God would draw you to Himself and you would surrender yourself to Him completely.
He is a God of compassion, a God of love, a God of mercy, a God of forgiveness, of grace, of restoration, and of reconciliation. He is also a holy God, who cannot be associated with sin. He is a God of justice. He knows you inside and out. He has seen it all, he knows everything. He is the Truth and is not confused by lies. And HE LOVES YOU! "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Do you know that God isn't waiting for you to get your life together before you can surrender to Him? You can't possibly get your life together enough by yourself. He wants you to surrender yourself to Him wholly and completely where you are. To accept Jesus' sacrifice and His forgiveness. To turn away from sin and toward Him. "The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Are you broken over your sin? "Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted." Do you mourn over your sin? He waits to comfort you. Your Heavenly Father longs to hold you in His arms, to draw you close, and comfort you. To shower you with His love, His grace, and His mercy. "If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Do you long to be clean? Run to Him.
Only Jesus can satisfy your deepest longing. Only Jesus can fill that hole in your heart. Only Jesus can make you whole. As much as we love you (and WE DO), He loves you even more. As much as we desire to be reconnected with you (and WE DO), He desires your return to Him even more. As much as our hearts are breaking (and THEY ARE), Jesus' heart breaks even more. Run to Him.
We continue to pray for you. We pray that the Holy Spirit would break through Satan's lies with the truth of God's Word, and that you would be saved. We continue to plead that you will surrender yourself to our Savior. We continue to hope for the day when you can be restored to our family.
"The LORD longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the LORD is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him" (Isaiah 30:18)
I love you so much, and long for the day where I can wrap my arms around you again. I will never stop praying. I will never stop hoping. God is faithful!
Love,
Angel
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