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Mysterious Ways: An Assist from a Stranger

For five years, the notebook kept her connected to her departed daughter, and to God. Now it was gone.

An artist's rendering of Toshi's journal

I’d moved all over the world in my life’s journey—from Japan, where I was born, to Brazil, where I was raised, and finally here to California. I’ve been on a spiritual journey as well—always curious about the mysteries of the world.

But when my daughter, Gabriella, died of cancer at age 28, my faith in God was shaken. I only began to find it again through studying and teaching Reiki, a Japanese healing art similar to the laying on of hands.

To help me with my grief, I began to write my deepest thoughts and reflections, how the Lord comforted me, in a little black notebook. I wrote in Portuguese, the language I felt most myself in.

For five years, the notebook kept me connected to Gabriella, and to God. Then somehow, on a flight from Los Angeles to San Jose, it disappeared. Did it fall out of my purse? Did I leave it on the plane?

I called the airline. The flight crew hadn’t picked it up. No one had turned it in at the airport lost-and-found either.

I hung up, trying not to cry. I pictured the pages of scribbled Portuguese. Even if someone found the notebook, they wouldn’t understand what I’d written. I hadn’t put my name or address in it because it rarely left my side. Now it was gone forever, just like my Gabriella.

A week later I heard from a former student of mine in Brazil. He forwarded me an odd e-mail he’d received.

“You don’t know me,” the message began, “but I was going from Portland to Las Vegas and changed planes in San Jose. On the new plane, I switched seats three times until I found one I liked, something I normally don’t do.

“I looked at my feet and saw a small black book on the floor. The writing was in Portuguese, my first language, so I started to read. It belonged to someone who had lost a daughter, and I knew it must be very important.

“I found a scrap of paper in it with your e-mail. Do you have any idea whose book this is?”

Why was my student’s address in my notebook? How did someone who could understand my words come across it? All I can say is, the book is back where it belongs, the greatest comfort I could’ve been given, from the greatest Comforter of all.

 

Download your FREE ebook, Mysterious Ways: 9 Inspiring Stories that Show Evidence of God’s Love and God’s Grace

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