When I began writing for the Marietta Daily Journal, I received a note from a reader that said, “Thanks for your meaningful columns. Your spirit and spirituality come through your words. Keep up the good work.”
I love to receive notes from readers and treasure each one, but when I read who wrote such nice remarks, I was so honored that I printed the note, which Dr. Nelson L. Price signed.
Now, I am not a Baptist, and I never heard him preach, nor did I ever meet him face to face. No, we became friends through words.
Dr. Price’s life was dedicated to God. He wrote 21 books, grew a mega church in Roswell Street Baptist in Marietta, and wrote a newspaper column for 60 years. He was never late for submitting his essays and never stopped working for the Lord. Nelson died the other day after serving others for 94 years. And like a few other mega Godly folks, I assure you, he flew through Heaven’s door altogether skipping the entrance exam.
After reading another column in ’24, he wrote, “Lynn, that was a bold and beautiful Christmas story. Keep writing.”
Nelson had the uncanny ability to read between my lines. When I wrote a story that I needed a break and was thinking of ‘putting the pen down,’ he sent this, “OK – Time out! The game isn’t over because I look forward to your second half. You know writing is demanding. What you write is contrary to the norm and is needed. Rewind, renew, and return!”
I retired for about a week. If Nelson could keep up the pace at his age, why couldn’t I?
There were many notes from my pen pal over the last few years. He was always encouraging me to be unafraid and gutsy and never give up.
When a close friend passed away over two years ago, I was utterly heartbroken, as were many others who loved her. Grief and tears filled the church during her service. It was incredibly difficult to say goodbye to such a vibrant young woman, and I struggled to understand why the Lord took her home instead of allowing her to share her joy with us.
The minister who delivered the message finished with this, “No matter how much we loved Karen, God loved her more.”
As I was leaving the service, I found the minister in the hallway. I said his words really helped with my pain. “I have never heard such a wonderful phrase.”
He responded, “When I was going through grief, a friend, Dr. Nelson Price, comforted me with those words.”
Life has its moments that astound me. I envision God orchestrating a game of ‘Connections’ in His divine office. He strategically moves people around to create purposeful combinations. The awe-inspiring truth we must never forget is that His hand is behind every move, every connection.
We pass off such hints from God as coincidences. There is no such thing as happenstance. Why did we unexpectedly run into an old friend at an airport far away? Or why did we reconnect with them afterward? That’s just one of many examples of God putting people together to form a union or reunion. He has a plan and reason for us, but we must pay attention to the clues.
I send my column each morning to my Methodist minister by 7 am. I am not sure how that started, but I learned this terrific guy is in his office, putting the finishing touches on his Sunday sermon mighty early. He always replies immediately. And over the time I have known him, we have found that my column usually coincides with the subject he is preaching on that day.
There are no accidents, no coincidences, because we know exactly who is responsible for that mysterious link. Sometimes God hides, and sometimes He is pretty easy to spot.
I was recently on a vacation across the seas. I received an email from the editors at the Marietta Daily Journal who sadly informed me Nelson Price had passed on to Heaven. Then, the following sentence, “We are putting your column in his space on the weekends weekly.”
When I tearfully read Nelson’s obituary, I learned his middle name was Lynn.
“So, Dr. Price, I know I can never replace you, but I will humbly take your space and remember your words, ‘Be brave, be bold, keep writing.” I know where you are, and I look forward to meeting you one day to say a resounding, thank you to all of us who were blessed by your faithfulness.”
God is with us in all we do, whispering to each of us to encourage one another. To open our eyes and see the obvious connections we make and enjoy the mystery of His bountiful love for us.
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Lynn Walker Gendusa is a Tennessee-raised, Georgia-residing author and columnist. Her latest book is “Southern Comfort: Stories of Family, Friendship, Fiery Trials, and Faith.” She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com. For more of her inspirational stories, click here.
