86. Steady Loving Patience

Many years ago, my sister made some choices that pulled her away from the family.

She got involved with a boyfriend who treated her poorly and gradually estranged her from us, to the point that she moved far away and our contact became infrequent at best.

We all tried our own ways to let her know that she was loved and always welcome back.

I had one brief conversation with her right before she left.

I probably didn't handle it perfectly.

I'm sure it was somewhat bumbling, but I told her that she was a beloved daughter of God and that she deserved to be treated like a princess.

Over the next few months, she began to see the reality of her situation.

She found a nugget of truth in that imperfect conversation, and she made the hard decision to leave that relationship and return to her family.

That took real courage.

Today, she has been happily married for over 15 years to a good man who truly cherishes her.

She's restored her relationships with her siblings, and we're deeply blessed by the family bond we have with her again.

I was reminded of her story when reading one of the more hopeful redemption stories in Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit, The Journey of Taddy Coram and the Meagles Family.