I generally keep a file of special letters and emails that I have received from different people about the books that are "sweet remembrances." I try not to wave them around; it would not be appropriate.
Every now and then I receive one that I think is so powerful in its witness, that it would help others. I received the following email a few weeks ago and have received permission from the author to share it with you.
To God Be the Glory!
Around this time last year you spoke on the subject of suffering at my husband's (fiancee, at the time) Bible study. There was also a time of Q&A that you and Betsy were kind enough to do after. I was so deeply moved and encouraged by your testimonies that I wanted to "read on." Your book, The Cup and the Glory, was available for those interested in purchasing it. You graciously gave me a free copy after learning I had no money on me and I wanted to thank you again for that.
Planning a wedding and working overtime gave me little to no free time to read the book, so I temporarily put it aside until the appropriate time. Lonngren and I were married early January and by early March we learned we were five weeks pregnant with twins. We were ecstatic and started preparing prayerfully for them (e.g. that they would be saved at an early age, wisdom in raising them, etc).
At this point I was a full-time homemaker and finally had time to read and study The Cup and the Glory. I took my time digesting it, one page at a time. As I read through the first chapters your account of the loss of your twins came back to me. Only this time I was tuning in more, now that I was having twins. I must have read and re-read the story several times. I could not believe the magnitude of the trial, but was even more amazed that God had given you and Betsy such strength during a very painful time. I also could not help to put myself in that situation thinking that I would be absolutely devastated! Lord, would I be able to drink the cup? I wanted to be able to but, could I take it in really small doses Lord? God was working on my heart.
This spurred Lonngren and I to be praying more diligently for the Lord's will and our obedience to it. This was especially true since my first trimester was a rocky one with many false alarms. We were constantly reminded that the Lord gives and the Lord takes, and that the twins belong to God and we were only temporary caregivers. Reading your book also inspired me to do an in-depth study of First Peter, which I have had the opportunity to do. How rich it is!
This last week, my 17th week of pregnancy, I was on the last chapter of your book. While I was reading the final pages on God's glory, I put the book down to take a small break. As I stood up my water broke. I was in shock and could only cry out to my Father. Lonngren and I rushed to the hospital. Lord, please don't take our babies, I don't know if I could handle it, I would be devastated, please please don't take them! The Lord took our babies to be with Him on June 5. But before He did, at our amazement, he gave us the peace which surpasses all understanding. God poured out His grace on us that we were able to respond by submitting to His will and giving Him the glory that our twins were safely home. They are getting the royal treatment by standing in the presence of our Lord. Why would I selfishly want anything less for them by wanting them back with us on this sin-cursed earth? In a sense God had answered our prayer we had consistently prayed about saving them at a young age. He actually did better; He took them before they got to experience sin. What a privilege and blessing! Lonngren and I desparetly look forward to eternity where we will get to see them again.
So I wanted to thank you Dr. Harris and to let you know that the small gift you gave me went a long way. Apart from the deep comfort His Word brought me, the Lord knew of another book that would minister to my heart in the midst of a difficult time. I now have a greater appreciation for and understanding of the perfecting, confirming, strengthening and establishing that He is doing in me as part of His grand plan. Blessed be His name!
For His glory,
Anna Taljaard
