A Letter From a Woman Who Almost Killed Herself

I was declined by a major book advertiser, for my book The Bark of The Covenant. I was feeling pretty bummed, although they decline books sometimes simply because they just don't have the space to run the ad at that time. Authors are encouraged to keep trying. 

Anyway, that same day, I received a letter on my Facebook Author Page from a reader of that very book. She gave me permission to publish the letter. All I can say is thank you Jesus for giving me the desire and ability to write. I have never been so moved by a reader of my books, nor more grateful to God for filling me with the desire to speak of Him and His goodness at every opportunity. It is important to note that the book she mentions in the letter is fiction. I made the story up. Apparently, it was her story. And incidentally, the applause of heaven is way more satisfying than the applause from any where else. Her letter is reprinted below.


Dear Mz Vicky , 
I have only written to one writer in my entire life (Gloria Teague). I have ended up being friends with Gloria. I read Bark of the Covenant and was immediately washed in a strange understanding. Like Angela, I grew up with a father who was abusive. I was whipped and verbally abused daily. I don't remember my parents ever praising me, telling me I was pretty or smart. I was told that I was bad and dirty and stupid. I was never defended for anything even if I was in the right. 

Because of my home life, I left home at 16 to marry a man 7 years older. They say that sometimes you marry your father and in my case I did. For 9 years I suffered beatings and horrible emotional abuse. I gave birth to 9 babies, 4 of whom did not survive. I ran away from my husband after he drew a gun on me. 

During the months following, I kept thinking that God really must hate me, after all, my parents and husband said I was too worthless to be loved. After reading your book, I started to look at things differently; could I really be worth more? 

I have been married to my second husband 38 years. During that time I believed that my life was ok. In recent years I have had several severe health problems and spent a lot of time hospitalized. I was in the hospital last week. My husband came to visit and informed me that he would not live with an invalid, and was filing for divorce. 

When I came home, my thoughts were on leaving this world, no one cares for me, even God. I must have done something really bad and was being punished by the Almighty. I had a bottle of narcotics in my hand. I put it beside me, and picked up your book. 

Maybe I'm not so worthless after all. I have started the second Whipporwill book, and continue to see a little light at the end of the tunnel. I still haven't gotten all my faith restored. Yes, I did have faith at one time. 

I think that God sent me your book. There are too many coincidences not to have come for a reason. I bought your book after reading about what the book was about. I also am involved with a humane rescue. 

Really the reason I'm writing is to say thank you: you may have saved me. Thank you for listening to me also. 

Danita
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You brought up my life from the pit, O Lord my God. Jonah 2:6

The Son of God was revealed for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

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Perhaps Danita will read this blog. If you would like to encourage her, feel free to comment. She is one of my heroes now. I hope all of you will keep her in your prayers. Please pray that her husband's heart will be softened and that he will seek God, and love, protect, and honor his wife, who has been through so much heart-break in her life. I sure will!
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Romans 8:37-39 

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 3:16 

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 5:8 

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.