I have been Blessed by God to be alive for over 65 years. Step by step, God has led me to this day, to this day of an eyewitness account of His sure Mercies within my life.
From day one of my young life, I followed God and felt God’s Love, whatever I did and wherever I went. My Christian upbringing and my mother’s interventions led me to God and Christ, with the correct attitude of ‘The Lord our God, the Lord is one and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ Mark 12:29-31, ESV. But when I was ten years old, my parents’ separation caused me to gradually walk away from my God.
I must admit, the type of person I had gradually become since my parents’ separation was someone completely different than who I am now. I was so very selfish back then. Seeking only what would please me and at any cost to others. I was materialistic, acquiring personal belongings that built up my inner ego and self-esteem. I was extremely rude to others when I was out driving in our vehicles, never giving an inch to anyone. Oh, yes, I still went to church, but I wasn’t fooling God, was I? I was not pleasing Him because I was doing everything for myself. My marriage was even suffering, and the ‘Hell Hole’ that I had dug for myself made me above average on the discontentment side of things. Now you must be thinking, ‘There’s nothing here that differentiates this behavior as anything different from that of a normal hypocrite, or at least I should beef this up a bit to sound more intense for a good story.’ I was worse off for the simple reason I DID NOT HAVE GOD IN MY LIFE. My Bible reference to this is in Romans chapter 1:18, ESV, and this verse reads, ‘For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who (men) hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Then on August 15th, 1990, I was reading the Book of St. Mark, KJV chapter seven, and when I came to verses 20 through 23, which states all that is in a list, that defiles a man from within. I took all that Jesus said into my heart, as my own, even those I did not do. And in so, upon finishing those verses in my thoughts, a bright light shone over me, warming me within my body and soul. I had to keep my eyes down upon my Bible and close my eyes three separate times, for the light was so strong and long-lasting. When at last I opened my eyes, the light was gone, and I looked up. Immediately, the morning sun came out and filled the room with a golden hue for three minutes. After that, the whole day was overcast. Everyone in the house was asleep. Being silently brought back to Jesus Christ was a deep transformation from within. It felt like an awakening in my mind. Newness in my heart that is with me when I wake up and stays with me throughout the day, and at night when I sleep. The forever joy that enveloped me has continually gotten me through the very toughest of times. God’s Grace is perfect, and I am born again. So, with this warmth of the white light and the affirmation of the sun, from all that time to now, it has left me with a spiritual oneness with Jesus Christ. In which all has changed my life instantly and forever, Amen.
I am living proof you can make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. I am living proof that a leopard can change its spots. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Thy Will Be Done.