EXPERIENCE

Elder Wheat, 

I’ve been thinking since you asked me if I wanted to tell all the wonderful things the good Lord has done for me.

If I were to tell all, it would take a while to recount, and I would have to go back a long way in my memory, for I believe He revealed Himself to me as a child. He blessed me to have for friends and relatives people of the Old Baptist faith. I was blessed to have surrounding love and sweet fellowship. He gave me, I trust, that gift of love to be enabled to see a person with love and tenderness, rather than the faults and imperfections we all possess. All those dear ones touched my life. He saw fit to have them love me. I have asked myself, for I surely do not deserve it. So, many times He has brought me out of the darkness into His the marvelous light, I believe, toward truth and understanding. I was made to beg for help and mercy, if not deceived, for I felt I had reached the end. I had nowhere to go. I could not reach out to anyone. I felt alone and forsaken. This past year has been a time of darkness for me. I thought I was going to die. I told no one, but started doing things in order. I told my daughter she should have certain things in case something happened to me. I could not rid myself of the feeling that I was going away. I felt dead inside, and I believe I did die. That is to say, I died to a lot of natural things. My pleasure in everything was taken from me. No one could understand me, even if I could have expressed myself. I could not tell my husband; afterwards, he said there was something very wrong with me. I blamed everything on my condition, even on him. I am afraid I became difficult to live with, which isn’t my nature at all. b I believe I went into the fiery furnace. I tasted grief and sorrow to the utmost. My heart was actually broken. I was so alone and lost. But, once again, I was shown that wonderful light that is twice as beautiful when we have been shut up in darkness for a while. I believe He revealed Himself to me when I was made to ask for a home among you, dear people. I had prayed that it be His Holy Will to reveal Himself to me. When it did take place, it was so unexpected. I was amazed and left speechless. I wanted to tell you, dear ones, I would not be anything but an addition to the church; only a hindrance, I feel. But, inwardly, that surely is not my intention, for I love each of you dearly and consider it a blessing from God that you are given to think well of me. He is love manifested in us. He loved us first, and we surely will love Him because of His first love. I loved all the sermons yesterday. b All rought me much comfort. I especially loved the way you expressed your feelings concerning churches of different faiths. My husband and I always felt the same. We hadn’t heard it expressed so clearly before. You are right. All of them belong to our God. We should not make judgment on them. It is so wonderful to see these things clearly concerning such a God.

I didn’t intend to bother or upset you. I awoke this morning with you on my mind, and I thought you might like to know how it was with me. I felt so wonderful. ( I keep writing that word. It best describes my feelings. I am so filled with joy that I wanted to share it with you. May God always be present with you and your dear wife, would pray for you if ever I could pray. A little sister, if one at all. In bonds of love. 

helma Bridges 

Bakersfield, California, July 5, 1976