Dear Max,

I know you have a particular interest in religious experience, and I wanted to share one with you.

Years ago you sowed seeds of faith in our lives. I wanted you to know those seeds have taken root in mine.

Eight years ago my life changed drastically when I encountered our Lord in a remarkable way. I was in the depths of grief over the loss of a friend who was brutally murdered in Austin the night before Halloween.

My heart was shattered.

Shortly after his death I was in Austin, and unfortunately, I had to drive through the very area where my friend was killed.

My emotions were overwhelmed. I began sobbing uncontrollably, and desperately crying out to the God I had always believed in -- but had never really sought to know.

As I poured out my heart before God, a great calm descended on me. A wave of peace, so clearly from Him, rushed through me, body and soul. And I felt the soft but firm touch of a hand on my shoulder.

In my mind -- although it seemed to sound in my ears -- God told me that my friend was fine.

The comfort I felt was unfathomable. And it was as though time had stopped. What must have been moments felt like eternity.

And then, as if my friend himself were speaking to me, I suddenly understood that my life, also, was in God's hands. I was not in charge at all. While I had lived all my life as though it was indeed mine, I now knew it was not.

My life belongs to God.

I praise God for that miraculous moment. Through that great tragedy God led me to blessing.

I had not really known God before that experience.

He is a God of second chances. His incredible mercy astounds me.

How "amazing" God's grace is!

Pam closed her letter by recommending to me a Bob Carlisle song called "Thank You." You can tell that Pam is filled with gratitude. She knows now that God is real, and the Gospel is true.

If you don't know that yet -- it's time to do something about it.