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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Personal Peace (06/01/06)
I was 4 years old. It was the mid sixties. Even at this young age, I embraced life to the maximum. My family always went down to the small community Burger joint on warm summer evenings. I loved seeing the older girls with their gorgeous hair teased up in beautiful coifs that had to be right out of a magazine. They wore shiny white leather knee boots and skimpy mini skirts that left hardly anything to be imagined. They danced every kind of dance imaginable as they shook and shimmied to all the tunes on the juke box. My Mother purchased a pair of shiny white boots so I could be more like my beautiful role models. Donning my own skimpy mini skirt and halter top which couldn’t hide what wasn't there, I would go in eager anticipation of the excitement that could only be found at this most wonderful place. I would await my absolute favorite tune, "The Birds and the Bees", and run to join the fun. I belted out the lyrics in perfect tone and time as I shook and twisted in delight. I had those words committed to heart. It didn't matter that I couldn't possibly fathom what they meant. I became a miniature of those girls whom I positively adored. I loved the way their makeup was deep in rich colors and how everything there seemed to glitter, sparkle and shine. Even the multi colored lights that hung in a scattered fashion, bulbs blown in several places, seemed to draw me in. I was young and tender and very moldable as I took what Satan had to offer and was happy in it. I lived for those evenings of pleasure. I absolutely loved an audience. That was just the outlet I needed to escape the heartache, fear and worry I felt inside.

My earthly Christian father had gone his own way for a season. He had, prior to this point in time, been involved in a serious accident that had almost taken his life. Some days were very rough for our family as my father had to grow and mature physically and mentally all over again. Peace, I didn’t know. Heartache and fear were my companions.

My older brother’s friend invited him to VBS the following summer. My brother came home singing a new song, "Jesus Loves Me". It seemed to pierce my heart like nothing else had ever done. The words captivated my little mind. Could it be there was more to life than "The Birds and the Bee's"? I angered my brother by following him around asking him to teach me this new song. I pestered him like only a sister can. "Who is Jesus?", "Is He a real person?", "Do you see Him at Bible School?", "How does He love you?", "How can He love me?” “He doesn't even know us!", "Is this song true?", "Please tell me!!!" My brother would beg Mama to make me leave him alone. I would beg her to let me go to VBS so I could meet Jesus. I don't know if I was too young, or if Mama thought VBS wasn't ready for me but I didn't get to go meet Jesus that week. However, my family did begin going to church because of that opportunity.

God had a plan all along as in Jeremiah 29:11. It was written to the Jews in captivity, but my little heart was in captivity by the evil one, Satan, who seeks to kill, steal and destroy. I was getting ready to be rescued by the loving, personal God, who had promised me good and not disaster even when I didn't know Him and was headed for disaster.

The following spring, while sitting in a revival service, I felt The Holy Spirit’s conviction. I had such a compelling feeling to run to the altar as if I would explode if I didn’t move. I knew I was a sinner and needed the forgiveness only Jesus could give. I didn’t go that night, and I didn’t explode, but I continually had a heavy weight I couldn’t explain; a dark cloud of conviction over my little soul. A few Sundays later I talked to my pastor and asked this loving Jesus, to forgive me for my sins, come into my heart and be Lord of my life. The heaviness, fear and hurt was replaced by a personal peace and joy that lasts because of the personal Savior Who gave them.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
George Parler 
06/11/06
An all too common account of a child’s life in this culture we live in. Although I could see the ending long before the story got there, it was definitely the ending we all hope for in Christ. Nice job.
Helen Paynter
06/12/06
Great testimony. some lovely turns of phrase here. I loved the title, but did you want the apostrophes? Good job