A Prophecy Fulfilled

Days 61-62--When I (Lynn) first knew Betsy, she was one of several young women who regularly sat at the end of my couch. I was couch-bound with a chronic illness, always available to listen to and pray with my friends. 

Betsy was going through a hard time, some deep distress. We prayed about a marriage partner for her. We prayed about a career path for her. We prayed about her health.

One day Betsy showed me an Old Testament passage that spoke to her, a passage that she wanted to claim for her future: 

Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. . . . work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I send you. Jeremiah 29:5-7

Betsy saw these verses as God's promise and directions to her, even though she was not in a dating relationship, even though the fulfillment of that promise was nowhere in sight.

This past weekend, we spent two days with Betsy and her family. Betsy has been married to her husband, Jack, for 21 years. They have two children. They have lived in their home in York, Pennsylvania, for 10 years. They served us fresh vegetables from their garden. A social worker and play therapist, Betsy works for peace in the lives of children who have been abused or are facing distresses and losses in their lives. 

In the 21 years since we had last been together with Jack and Betsy, God has been so faithful to them and to His promises to a distressed young woman. It was delightful to listen as they shared their stories. To meet their adopted son, Jeremiah. To meet their daughter, Iliana, a Hebrew name that means "God answered my prayer." To eat the shrimp and grits as well as the beef tagine that Jack cooked for us, using vegetables and herbs from his garden.  

We spent an afternoon at the Center for Creative Arts and Play Therapy, where Betsy practices as a psychotherapist, social worker, and registered play therapy. 

She talked us through how she works with children, using various methods, including sand-tray therapy. She demonstrated the sand-tray therapy for us, showing how young children, who are unable to verbalize their distress, work through their feelings over the weeks by creating "worlds" with miniatures that allow them to express their feelings.

Twenty-five years ago the promises in Jeremiah 29 seemed so distant and impossible to Betsy and to us. But, as we spent time with Jack and Betsy, we rejoiced together that all of these promises, every one of them, had been fulfilled by a loving and gracious God.

Truly, a prophecy fulfilled.