CARVING YOUR INITIALS By Sally I. Kennedy

Peggy and Bill invested their lives in others. They worked tirelessly defending children in the court system, kids who had no one to help them.

One clear, sunny day around noon, their small plane took off from the local airport. Within five minutes, as they were still flying low, the plane took a dive and crashed right onto a major downtown city street. It was a miracle the plane didn't land on any cars. Yet it was so very sad this wonderful couple's life was so suddenly and prematurely snuffed out.

Many years ago, at a lay renewal retreat weekend, Peggy had left a gift on my pillow. A small unfinished wooden heart, like you'd buy in craft stores. Printed in a black marker was "SK + JC". Sally Kennedy plus Jesus Christ. Our initials in a heart, signifying we love each other.

That miniature wooden heart is still on a shelf in my room. I look at if often, and think of the love Peggy had for Jesus, and for others. I think of how my initials and Jesus' are carved in eternity.

Carving initials in a tree scars the outer bark, but the tree survives and the initials are there for the life of the tree. Likewise when we have cuts, our skin heals; our body is made by God in such a way that it heals.

Wounds of the heart, are more difficult, though. When our memories are scarred, only Jesus can heal them. We may keep growing, yet the scar remains, until the Lord heals us.

The good news is that not only is Jesus able to heal, He is more than willing. Praise God for His goodness! He is the one to remember, when it comes to initials being carved on our hearts.