A teen writes her pastor to let him know that his sermon touched her heart—and her soul.

Pastor, I just wanted you to know that I really liked your sermon last Sunday, "Help for the brokenhearted." I'm sure you noticed me crying through the whole thing and even now thinking about the message God had that day makes me bawl. It's just that it was exactly what I needed to hear.

Friends at school, teachers, my parents, anybody I talk to—I come across to them as this "extremely happy, smiley, always-cheering-other-people-up" kind of person with no problems and so many great things happening—which is mostly true. But all that stuff doesn't matter when I'm sad, feeling lost, confused, frustrated, angry, lonely, empty, overwhelmed, and I have no idea exactly why I'm feeling this way. I really have a lot of great things going on in my life, especially right now. But for some reason at the end of the day, when I'm alone, I'm extremely sad.

I know that all your sermons have a positive ending and gospel to them, but that last sermon was just so perfect for me right now. No matter what problems I am facing in my life, big or small, I always need to remember to turn to Jesus for help, because he knows my pain and struggles, and he's always here for me.

Sometimes we get so wrapped up with what is happening in our lives that we forget who gave us life. We forget about Jesus and that all our strength comes from him. I've just been so busy with my life and trying to help and do things for other people and school that I forgot about Jesus. I forgot to turn to him for guidance when I was feeling this low.

Your sermon made me realize that I'm not alone, even though it often feels like it. Jesus is here for me, listening to my cry for help! I've forgotten the last couple of months to turn to him when feeling this sadness.

So, I just wanted to tell you that your sermon was moving to me and hit me so hard. I felt like God was talking directly to me through you! I've never had such a powerful spiritual moment as I did last Sunday. Thank you.

Author: Melissa Jacobs
Copyrighted WELS Forward in Christ