~Ashley Myers

I just wanted to take a moment to write you. I have never actually written to a celebrity but I felt compelled to do so now. First, let me say, you are in my prayers. Although I imagine it is (and will continue to be) difficult, I encourage you to ignore those who would pass judgement or criticize you.

When I worked in clinical nursing at a large metropolitan hospital in northern NJ, I use to care for patients who had been incarcerated at the county jail. I use to think—“ How did you get to this place?” And quite honestly, I pitied them and would selfishly pray “God thank you that I’ not like that.”.” I use the word “selfish” because I was exalting myself rather than praying for them. Ironically, many years later, I would find myself in a place of utter brokenness.

If I could step back in time, “I would pray God let them feel your presence, let them see and touch the wounds on Your hands so they know You understand and are with them in their suffering…and let them know I care and hear their hearts…and, if it be your will, heal them.”
Funny how God guides us back to those moments in our lives when we’ve made vows or choices to turn from the prompting of the Holy Spirit for what we blindly believe are inconsequential moments in our journey through eternity.

I say eternity, because I am reminded of CSLewis’s book “The Great Divorce,” and the astounding truth that we step into eternity with first breath, our first cry. And our final destination, whether it is heaven or hell, is determined by our choices, unyielding and boundless grace, and the relentless love of a father who would sacrifice everything for the love of a child. (Thank God salvation is not dependent on us.) And many times, it is His love that takes us back to some moment in time where we have faltered, embraced a lie rather than the truth. At the moment it seems inconsequential but in all reality, it is one of those glory moments destined to alter the course of our lives. Fortunately, our God pursues us relentlessly (praise Him) and redeems each moment- if we let Him. And sometimes we are given a glimpse of that redemption— and a plan, devised by God that is radical and so astounding that even the angels are breathless. This is true for all our lives- I mean His plan for us——

“No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began….it is written, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived for what God has prepared for those who love him”
I Cor. 2: 7 & 8 b.

Ms Hilton, you are in my daily prayers. I have a somewhat similar vision- my vision is for a faith based rehab for alcohol and/or drug addicted women with comorbid mental illness. My vision has not come to fruition yet—but someday—it will.

May God protect you and richly bless you in this moment and through all eternity.

L.