Letters From Grandpa #586

• LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
• 586

Dearest grandchild,

Dale Evans Rogers was an actress and singer who performed in 30 movies and recorded 200 songs. The Encyclopedia Britannica states, however, that she is best known for a little book she wrote in 1953. This beautiful book is about her little baby girl named Robin. Robin was born with severe complications and died before her second birthday. This famous book was titled “Angels Unawares.” The title, as you know, comes from the Bible: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2) In retrospect, Dale and her husband Roy Rogers, never saw Robin as a “mistake” but as a beautiful angel helping them to turn their eyes from the temporal fame of Hollywood, to the eternal treasures of heaven!

I am writing this letter because I just received a tribute from Jim Valenta to his beautiful daughter Jill who died when she was only 12 years old. Jim and Sherry Valenta have been friends of our family since the 1960’s. We have stayed in touch for over 60 years regardless of the many miles that did their best to divide us. Their daughter, Jill, was born in 1973 when Bob, her older brother, was 4 years old. Jim described her as “smart, strong willed (stubborn), and a bit rebellious”. She was, however, a “daddy’s girl” who wanted to be with Jim regardless of what he was doing.

At the age of 6 Jill developed a fever which turned out to be the first step in a six year journey to her grave. When the fever did not respond to antibiotics the Stanford Children’s Hospital considered that she might have Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Despite the best medical care Jill grew steadily worse. Seven months later she was in ICU on 100% oxygen in a drug induced coma. Over the next six years Jill would be in and out of the hospital from 30-35 times.

The Valenta’s are devout Christians and their church in Los Gatos was upholding them in prayer every day. The San Francisco 49ers even visited her in the hospital without fanfare or publicity. When words were too difficult to say Jill would lift her arms signaling to her father that she needed a hug. As the end grew near her focus went beyond Jim as though she was reaching out to Jesus. When Sherry, who is a nurse, asked her if she knew where she was she replied with great courage and faith, “Yes, I am at Stanford Intensive Care and I’m going to die.” Jill finally went to be with Jesus in the middle of the night on December 10th and her father was on a cot near by.

As if orchestrated by heaven, a number of unusual things happened on the day of her death. First, her minister, the church secretary, and Sherry’s mother simultaneously woke up and prayed. Their prayers, however, were not for Jill, but for her parents Jim and Sherry. A few hours later Jill’s brother’s music teacher called and said: “I don’t know why I am calling, but God put it on my heart to call you.” Providentially, on that very day Jim’s uncle passed away and a family friend was killed in a car crash just a few miles away. Next, both families went to the same funeral home at the same time to make arrangements. Finally, at Jill’s funeral Jim closed his eyes and received a brief heavenly vision that provided him with peace. In this vision he saw Jill in heaven with joy on her face. Jill was standing by a heavenly companion who also had a radiant look of pure joy on her face. Behind them, our God who specializes in painting sunsets, provided a beautiful backdrop of glowing lights.

Visions are mentioned many times in the Bible. Just before Stephen died, for example, he called on witnesses to look and said: “I see heaven open and the Son of man standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:56) Do not be surprised when God provides supernatural comfort and consolation to His children at the time a loved one transitions into eternity! At this point in Jim’s

written testimony about Jill, he quotes from James, the brother of our Lord, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2)

In retrospect Jim and Sherry understand that Jill was really like an “angel unaware.” In her brief life she helped them to focus on the eternal treasures of heaven rather the temporary treasures of earth. Paradoxically, the suffering that destroys an unbeliever, actually cause a Christian to grow. Paul explained: “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

You know this is true! If you drop a pair of pliers in your garden the dirt, water, and sunlight will destroy them. There is no life in a pair of pliers! When you plant a seed, however, the dirt, water, and sunlight will cause it to grow! The very things that destroy the pliers cause the living seed to grow and produce delicious fruit! Just as pearls are produced in an oyster by a painful grain of sand, our earthly pain can also produce in us something both beautiful and valuable! Remember! It is through gates of pearl that we enter into heaven (Revelation 21:21)

Jim concluded his beautiful tribute to his daughter with these inspired words of David: “I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord, be strong and let your heart take courage.” (Psalm 27:13-14).

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce