Tag: encourage

Picture a little girl, six years old, lying flat on her back on the platform of her church auditorium.

She’s surrounded by other children, slightly older, who are lying there, too. The children are praying, lying on their backs with arms raised to heaven. An adult is next to each child, praying with them. Except for this little girl. She’s the last to go forward at the invitation to come to Jesus.

The sermon that night touched the heart of the pastor’s daughter. As she went forward, the other children followed like a flood. Praying. Crying. Asking Jesus to come into their hearts.

The little girl went to the altar, too. The last one to arrive. She lay down with her hands raised like the other children. Her little 50s style dress was short, so when she raised her hands, the skirt of her dress went up. She was conscious of this and pulled her skirt down occasionally before raising her hands again and continuing to pray.

The room was filled with the sweet spirit of God. Adults and children alike felt it in a powerful and precious way.

No one came to pray with her. They were busy with the other children. She thought to herself, ‘No one takes me seriously, because I’m the littlest.’ But she continued to pray as she knew how. Tears dripped down her little face.

There was One who took notice, though. Jesus Christ saw her child-like faith and sincerity.

“Come into my heart, into my heart. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. Come in today. Come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”

She learned that song in Children’s Church. Had sang it often. But that evening, as she lay before the Lord, that became the prayer of her heart. Jesus came in to stay. He never left her. Even when she strayed, He was there, drawing her back to Him.

Through the years, she heard so many outstanding testimonies of people whom God had lifted out of the deep mire of sin. She didn’t think she had much of a testimony, nothing so heart-breaking and beautiful.

One day her eyes were opened to the fact that Jesus saved her when she was a little girl and had kept her close. He gave her a heart to love Him. She was spared from so much, especially in her teens . . . the era of free love, drugs, and drink.

Then her heart was flooded with gratitude that God had blessed her with a Christian heritage, caring mentors and examples of faith-filled people.

Yes! She has a wonderful, precious testimony! Jesus Christ loves her, saved her, and has blessed her with His faithfulness for sixty-seven years.

That little girl was me. I thank God every day that I was privileged to become His child at such a young age. To God be the glory!