WANDA’S
LEGACY

Topics: Depression; Evangelism; Excuses; Witnessing

References: Matthew 28:19–20; John 14:6–7; Colossians 4:3–6; 1 Peter 3:15

My job as a psychiatric nurse brought me in touch with many people who were searching for answers to problems in their lives. I knew that Jesus was the answer, but I couldn’t bring myself to talk to them about him. I was the master of excuses. Then a patient changed my life.

Wanda, fifty-six, suffered with chronic depression. Many people in her family had died, some of them tragically. The loss and her grief became too great a burden for the widow. One day she quit her job, went home, pulled the curtains, and refused to leave her house. Eventually she stopped eating. Even the smallest task became too difficult for her.

A neighbor noticed the change in Wanda’s behavior and made arrangements for her to be taken to a hospital, where she was admitted to the psychiatric ward. When Wanda went home, I was assigned to be her home health nurse. I visited her weekly to make sure she was taking care of herself.

Over the course of six months, Wanda continued to recover. Although I knew she needed to meet Jesus as her Savior, I reasoned that she would soon be attending church and would hear about him there.

One day I went to Wanda’s house and was surprised to find the door ajar. I knocked, and when there was no response, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. I found her lifeless body in the bedroom. In her hand was a note to me, saying: “Dear Peggy, I’m so sorry. I tried it your way, but I got tired. Please forgive me.”

I cried my heart out to my loving, forgiving Father, saying, “Lord Jesus, I gave her the best that I had. But it was my way. I didn’t tell her about you. I didn’t tell her about your way.” I then promised God that I would never pass by another opportunity to tell someone about him.

—Peggy DesNoyers, “Silent No More,” Decision (July–August 2000)