Thirty-five years ago today . . . . .

I grew up in a very loving family, though not particularly religious. I doubt that anyone would have denied God's existence, and my two sisters & I were taken to Sunday School, but we just didn't talk about Jesus or discuss Christianity. And the huge Bible which would have provided everything we needed to know sat unopened on the living room shelf . . .

I was a rebellious teenager, and continued to make bad choices into my young adult life. One day a very good friend, Ann, told me that she had re-dedicated her life to Christ . . . huh???? And she expended a tremendous amount of time trying to convince me that I needed Him in my life, too. My response, "I'm glad for you, but it's just not for me."

One Friday afternoon . . . specifically February 21, 1975 I was finishing up my day as a secretary with the utility company in Corpus Christi, Texas. I was reading the newspaper and a very small public notice in the classified section caught my eye: "Gardendale Baptist Church will present the film The Rapture tonight at 7pm". Well, Ann had told me about this mysterious catching away of Christians and I thought, "Wow! If they can capture this on film I want to see it!" So, I called Ann and asked if she had any plans that evening. She coolly replied, "No, whatcha got in mind?" When I asked if she wanted to see the film with me, she said sure and asked what time she could pick me up. I told her I would meet her at the church, because I wanted my own car to attend a party afterward (I knew she wouldn't want to go to this particular party).

I met her in the church foyer and as we entered the sanctuary she said, "Hey, there are two seats in the middle of this row. Okay with you?" It was great with me because it was close to the back of the church! So we made our way in and sat down in time for the film to begin. It really wasn't very good. In retrospect, how do you capture such an event anyway? When it ended, a visiting evangelist spoke. I don't remember anything he said, but God was closing in on me! At the close of his message, the evangelist said, "I don't always do this, but I want to ask a question . . . If you were to die when you leave tonight, and you know for certain you will go to Heaven, I want you to stand up." I was caught! There I was sitting next to Ann. I had told her, repeatedly, that her "religion" wasn't for me. If I stood, I was a liar. And as most around me stood, I remained seated and for the first time felt something I had never heard of or felt before. Conviction.

The evangelist asked that those who remained seated make their way to the front for prayer. It was as if I didn't even feel my legs take me from the middle of that row, down the aisle, to the altar. In retrospect, I appreciate God's sense of humor in dealing with my pride issue. It would have been a much easier and closer walk had I not been sitting all the way in the back of the church! I knelt down, trying to decide what to say. The only two prayers I knew to date were "Now I lay me down to sleep" and "God is great, God is good, and we thank Him for this this food." Neither seemed to apply. So I said, "God, Ann says you are real and that she has a personal relationship with you. If this is true, I believe I need you in my life because nothing else seems to be working for me." I opened my eyes to realize that I was the only adult kneeling at the altar. There I was with about dozen small children who had come to give their hearts to Jesus. To his credit, the evangelist came to me and asked if we could talk for a few minutes. We went to a side pew where he went through some scriptures with me, explaining my need for a saviour, and prayed with me again. Something else I had never felt before . . . Peace.

We went to Ann's mother's home after the service (I completely forgot about the party I was to go to). I found out that early that morning, Ann's mother "Molly" called her, "Would you like to believe God for a miracle today?"

Ann, "Sure. What's up?"

Molly, "I just read in the newspaper that Gardendale Baptist Church is showing a film on the rapture tonight. Let's pray that Shirley will want to go."

Ann, "Okay! I'll call her and ask her."

Molly, "That's not a miracle. Let's pray and believe that she'll want to go without prompting." Well, you can imagine Ann's surprise when I called her at 4:45 that afternoon asking if she wanted to go see the film.

There I sat that night in Molly's living room experiencing something else for the first time . . . pure, unadulterated joy! After a short while, people began showing up I had never met before. I found out that Ann and these people had been gathering two nights a week for the past year praying for my salvation. Ann had called them and told them to be at the church that night to continue to pray. They arrived early and sat in a way to form a "prayer circle" in the pews, with two seats available in the middle. God and Ann knew I would want to sit in the back!

I have stayed in touch with Ann & Molly over these years. Her little sister, Susan, and I are now best friends. She was part of the "conspiracy", too, and I'm forever grateful to the Bludworth Family. And I'm glad to say that everyone in my family are now Christians, too. God just needs a seed . . .

Today is Sunday and here I am in Jerusalem (who would have guessed). It's been a wonderful day as Nat & I attended Christ Church and I've reflected on these 35 years since that Friday in Corpus Christi, Texas. So much has happened since I walked that aisle and gave my heart to Jesus! Those little children who prayed alongside me that night would be young adults now. I hope their journey with the Lord has been as meaningful as mine. I'll ask them someday . . . soon I think. Because He who called me is faithful.

"Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city . . . The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life . . . He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming soon."
Revelation 22

"Let us rejoice and be glad, and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear. Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.
Revelation 19:7-8

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

Got your robe washed?

Shalom y'all
Shirley