When I find a TV show I really love, I get a little TOO into it. I look up spoilers and cast interviews and even try my hand at fanfiction. I wind up measuring time by the hours and days my favorite shows are on (even when I'm super busy with other important things). I get a little compulsive about finishing shows (and books) I've started, and it's only worse when it's one I really love. Because of this, I usually limit my TV time now (except for lately with Netflix...curses!). But a few shows have been worth it.
Today those shows are
Psych and
Bones, but I was really into
Touched by an Angel and
JAG growing up. Seriously, just ask anyone who lived with me during those years and they will tell you...or maybe you'd like to see my scrapbooks? :) Anywho, when I was in college and
JAG was finishing up its final seasons, I discovered the joys of online discussion boards. In them I could fairly anonymously find kindred spirits who obsessed as much about the characters and plotlines of the show as I did (and maybe more!). This is fairly universal across all discussion boards. But the
JAG board was extra special.
The ladies (and most of them were ladies) on this discussion board were almost all middle aged and religious, many of them born-again Christians. They took the time to really talk about things totally unrelated to
JAG. They had a list of birthdays, a daily inspirational quote, and two separate threads for personal use--one a prayer roll, one just for personal and real-life discussions. While we all shared a different belief system and came from many different backgrounds, I felt unity with these older ladies--not only did we all love the same show, but we all believed in a God that loved us and the power of human beings to help each other, helping God along in His work in the process.
I started off cautious and anonymous, but during that difficult semester I mentioned before things got especially difficult and particularly lonely, and I found myself slowly adding my two cents in. I asked for prayers for certain family members, then for friends, then eventually for me. These ladies came to know my personal circumstances more than roommates or people in my ward did. They were sort of all like moms, aunts, grandmothers, and occasionally younger sisters to me, and I started to learn their first names, personalities, and family circumstances. (It wasn't like I stopped living my real life or hanging out with real people face to face or anything, but talking to these ladies became a daily ritual and was cheaper than therapy. :) In a few months' time, they came to be my sounding board, and there was just something special to knowing that there were strangers out there who were praying for me. Some days, I could feel their prayers and hear their words of encouragement and advice in my head.
Things climaxed when I had my injury and could not afford things like rent. I was just venting, not looking for anything more than maybe a little pity, when one of the ladies (Marsha) private messaged me. She said that she and some of the other ladies had been talking about me and had been wanting to help out, and if it was okay could they pool some money together and send it to me? I protested at first, but, as I mentioned, I was very in need at this time. I'd also been learning how to accept service from others, and was reminded of how no one can serve if we don't let them. I felt prompted, against my pride, to say yes, thinking it would buy me some food, knowing that the Lord would bless them through this service and maybe they needed that, too.
Well, you can imagine my surprise when I got not one but TWO cards of encouragement in the mail, with over $500 total enclosed therein. Marsha said that they'd sent out the first card, and then other ladies got wind of it and wanted to contribute, too, hence the second card. I literally broke down in tears (which I don't do a lot). It was enough to pay TWO MONTHS' rent and bills, AND have a little left over for food. It was an answer to many prayers. And they didn't even want it paid back--they told me to someday pay it forward.
I still feel badly about getting something for nothing, but at the same time, I marvel at these ladies' willingness to serve in such a BIG way to a virtual stranger. I was blessed through their actions in a huge, unforgettable way. Even if that hadn't happened, though, my
JAG angels really saw me through a difficult time in my life in a way that I needed, as odd or unconventional as it was, just by listening to and praying for me. Talking with them made me acutely aware of how good people really are, LDS or not. Knowing that there are people of all faiths doing the Lord's work strengthened my testimony of Him. It has also strengthened my resolve to be more like my
JAG angels--more proactive in finding people who need help and more willing to offer it, regardless of circumstances.
I've since lost touch with all of them, but I think on them often and how much they built up my faith in people. Because I had their encouragement, I was able to move forward with my life with much less worry. Because they knew my name, I felt loved in a totally new and unexpected way. Because they were out there in the world, many anonymous, I came to start seeing everyone as potentially one of these
JAG Angels in disguise. Because they took the time to follow promptings, I knew more assuredly that the Lord loves us ALL and guides us as much as we allow Him to. He was acutely aware of my needs and He took care of them--as He always does when we do our best to deserve it--and I felt His love through theirs. I know we won't always have something so dramatic happen to increase our faith, but I'm grateful for those big moments, anyway. And that is why I believe.
