I woke up this morning and started reading Jaycee Dugard’s book, “A Stolen Life“. I read the entire thing in about 3 1/2 hours. I’ll be honest, I was curious about her life in captivity. The story was intense and I was glued to it. (In case you’re wondering, yes it is possible to feed a six month old bananas while reading your Kindle.)
Jaycee is an amazing person. I think I’d like to meet her. I know I’d love to sit and have coffee with her. I’m sure she’d be a great friend. She went through something no human being, let alone a child, should ever have to deal with. She’s crazy strong, never lost hope and kept an amazing sense of self and ethics throughout her entire ordeal.
The entire time I was reading though, I couldn’t shake this thought. Where is Jesus?
At one point in the book, Jaycee says straight out that she doesn’t consider herself very religious. And honestly, I don’t blame her. The guy who kidnapped her, Philip Garrido, was a religious wacko, blaming everything and anything awful he did on “God” and “the Angels”. He forced her to listen to bible studies and was always talking crazy talk about the church he was going to start.
Whenever I hear stories about people, like Jaycee, who have overcome amazing odds, lived through terrible tragedy and unspeakable suffering…and they don’t know Jesus…I am amazed. Amazed at how they made it through. Amazed at their fortitude. Amazed at their strength.
More than that though…I’m overwhelmed by what amazing things a person that strong could do for Christ’s kingdom if they did know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If they can accomplish and overcome all of that WITHOUT Jesus, imagine how much they could accomplish and overcome WITH Jesus. Wowzer!!
So Jaycee, if you’re ever in Denver, I’d love to meet you for coffee. I’d love to hear about your life of freedom, your beautiful daughters and your hopes and dreams for the future. And I’d love for you to meet Jesus…because I think he has big plans for you.