From Luci Swindoll

July 22, 2009

I just got home from church. My brother, Chuck (whom I call “Babe”) has started a new series on 2 Timothy. Today was focused on the first seven verses of chapter one. It was an outstanding sermon.

How many times have I heard Babe preach? Dozens. Hundreds. Dare I say thousands? I’ve lost count. The church where he ministers–Stonebriar Community, in Frisco, Texas–is maybe three miles from my house, if that...and I came home last night, immediately after the Women of Faith Cleveland event in order to hear him today. Just ask me if it’s worth it. Oh my goodness–there’s nobody like him in the world and every time I have the opportunity to hear him speak, I’m THERE...even if it means taking The Red Eye, or getting up at the crack of dawn to beat the crowd.

As I sat in the service this morning, my mind floated back to when we were kids, tossing a football in the backyard of our little Swindoll home in Houston. Then I thought about all the fishing trips we’ve been on as a family. I remembered Babe’s graduation from high school when he received honors in academia, drama and music. There was a mental picture of his wedding 55 years ago when I was one of the soloists. I recalled his graduation with honors from Dallas Seminary; even his becoming President of DTS some years later. I have the forty-seven letters he wrote me during his time in the Marine Corps and especially when he was stationed on the island of Okinawa, back in the ‘50s. In my library are copies of all the books he’s written, inscribed to me...and in recent months, piles of sermon notes from various messages he’s preached that I’ve shared with friends. And this doesn’t even begin to touch the emails where he’s answered questions I’ve had or given counsel I’ve requested. He’s a fabulous brother and a joy to my life in a thousand ways.

But, here’s my favorite of life’s sweetest joys–when I moved back to Texas five years ago from having lived thirty years in Southern California, I did so to be closer to the Women of Faith office and more centrally accessible to an airport for our weekend trips. And what did the Lord do in the meantime? He moved Babe and Cynthia down the street from me, about six blocks away. And why did God do that? Because

“He’s famous for great and unexpected acts; there’s no end to His surprises” (Job 5:8). I didn’t know that was going to happen when I moved to Frisco. And now, there they are...just down the road. In a matter of months, Babe will be 75 and I’ll be 77. All of a sudden we’ve been given these final years together and I couldn’t be happier. We’re closer than we’ve ever been... in every way. It’s a gift of God’s grace!

Don't miss out on God's surprises. Pay attention to the little things God does...especially those for which you’ve never asked. Then thank Him and tell somebody what He’s done. Remember–He’s famous for those gracious acts.

Much love,