During the 1980’s, when I was around eleven or twelve years old, there was a Christian bookstore that opened up around the corner from where I lived.
At this store, my mother and I would pick out and purchase hand crafted religious plaques.
We bought a large-size, dark wood carving, scripted and pictured with the beauty of the sky, ocean, and sand, adorning the words of the timeless “Footprints” inspirational.
The Footprints poem, is one of the most wonderful reminders of the comfort we receive from the Lord within the certain times we may not feel he is around us.
There were a few other religious plaques that had caught our attention and spoke to our hearts, but one that I remember buying in particular was a favorite of mine.
I purchased this lovely plaque when I was about fourteen. I had bought two of them, one for myself, and one as a gift for someone else.
Over a decade later, I ran into the lady who told me she still had the plaque that I had given her all those years ago, and I still had mine at home too
The Plaque was an attractively designed carving on light-colored wood scripted as, “The Letter from Your Friend Jesus”:
Dear Friend,
How are you? I just had to send a note to tell you how much I care about you. I saw you yesterday as you were talking with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me too. I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to rest you — and I waited. You never came. It hurt me — but I still love you because I am your friend.
I saw you sleeping last night and longed to touch your brow so I spilled moonlight upon your face. Again, I waited, wanting to rush down so we could talk. I have so many gifts for you! You awoke and rushed off to work. My tears were in the rain.
If you would only listen to me! I love you! I try to tell you in blue skies and in the quiet green grass. I whisper it in leaves on the trees and breathe it in colors of flowers, shout it to you in mountain streams, give the birds love songs to sing. I clothe you with warm sunshine and perfume the air with nature scents. My love for you is deeper than the ocean, and bigger than the biggest need in your heart!
Ask me! Talk with me! Please don’t forget me. I have so much to share with you!
I won’t hassle you any further. It is YOUR decision. I have chosen you and I will wait — because I love you.
Your friend,
Jesus
This is such a beautiful inspirational! And oh, so timeless indeed. It was always enough to bring tears to my eyes as I discerned the heavy meaning of the recitation. The message is very touching, still to this day.