1,000 GIFTS, #189

My life has been blessed with many gifts this week. (One in particular is going to need a blog post all its own. I'm processing it slowly because it has happened that way...slowly over the past few months as God has been gently healing my heart and teaching me some truths by the power of His Word.)  But on this late night Multitude Monday, I want to dedicate this post to only ONE GIFT from the past week. It needs to stand alone. A GIFT SO WONDERFUL THAT IT WILL CHANGE A LIFE FOREVER.

My husband and I have taught a class at our church for many years now. It is a Bible study/Sunday School class for prospective church members, a covenant membership class called "Second Life."  Many people come and go through the class.  But this past Sunday was absolutely wonderful...


#189.  Yesterday morning a young girl about 20 years old arrived early before anyone else. I was talking to some friends and as they were leaving, she asked us, "is this where the class meets for people interested in this church?"  We welcomed her and told her she was in exactly the right place and then I had her sign in and gave her the book we use for the four-week class.

A few minutes later my husband came in and we started chatting with Caitlyn. She had been coming to church as a guest of another young woman for about 2 months, and was playing church softball.  As Gary began teaching the content of "Week 1" which includes  doctrinal teaching and the truths of salvation, I noticed how Caitlyn was listening so intently. She then began talking and told us about the girls on the softball team sharing their "stories and their moments," (testimonies) and then she simply said the most beautiful thing...

"That's what I want, I want my own moment

with Jesus, I want a story too."

That statement opened the door and became the most natural and wonderful opportunity to share with this young woman the timeless truths of God's plan of salvation.  It was obvious that someone has been planting and watering the seeds and that Gary and I were just blessed to be there for the ripe harvest. We shared from God's Word with her - we talked about salvation and God's plan. We talked about sin and separation from God.  She understood - she was ready to get it settled down and taken care of right then.  So she prayed and asked Christ to be her Lord & Savior. 

My gift of seeing Caitlyn receive THE GREATEST GRACE GIFT of all was so wonderful, so marvelous.  To be there with my husband as he ministered the Word to her was a blessing to my heart. I'm so thankful to serve a church where God's Word is taught and believers are strengthened and trained and non believers learn the basic truths of the Bible as they seek a church to call home.

I know that her friends had been praying for her for a long time and using the avenue of church softball to reach her. It was absolutely God-ordained for us to be in the right place at just the right time to put into practice I Peter 3:15 - always be ready with an answer! 

I Corinthians 3:7

So then neither the one who plants nor

the one who waters is anything,

 but God who causes the growth.

Thank you for taking the time to read this...my blessing to witness this young woman receive the gift of eternal life...I count it ALL GRACE!

In His Name,

Mrs. Jan