Sunday, June 26, 2011

Making Jesus Famous

February 7th, 1990.

The day Jesus became famous to me!

A day I will NEVER forget. Let's go back in time.

I grew up in a non church going family. We didn't go to church on Sunday mornings. Ever. But I do remember going to Vacation Bible School when I was very little. I don't remember much of it but I did make some crafts that my parents kept.

I started going to church in 1977, at the tender age of 7, with my grandmother, Memaw. She had become a Christian and began attending a church in Lincoln Park. Because I spent almost every weekend at her house, I went with her.

I got to hear about Jesus.

Now, just because you hear the name Jesus, doesn't mean your a Christian. I thought I was back then because I went to church every Sunday. We were there every time the doors were open. I remember asking Jesus into my heart, but that's where it stopped. I was never really asked about it and I was never baptized. I just went to church.

Fast forward to age 13. Teenager. 7am wake-ups on a Sunday morning. Going to church from 8am-1pm. Not for me!!

But my Memaw NEVER gave up hope. She always prayed for me and talked about Jesus to me. She wanted me to live my life for Him. But, I was a teenager, and I wasn't interested.

Now, I'm an adult. I'm working and living my life. I've got a good job, live at home with my Dad, got a car. Life is good.....but I'm still lost.

It's now January 11th, 1990. My Memaw is gone. In heaven with her Jesus. I am still wandering in the desert. Trying to figure out my place in this world. I believe it's in the United States Army!!

I join the U.S. Army's delayed entry program. My job is going to be a Food Service Specialist! LOL!! I am set to leave in April 1990, to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. I am excited. I am scared. What did I get myself into??!!??

On Feb. 7th, 1990, Jesus becomes famous to me!!!

I go to visit my "adopted" grandma. She knows Jesus. She always tries to talk to me about Him. I always tried to avoid this with excuses. But not this day!! I listen to her. With both my ears and also my heart!! To this day, I don't remember what she said to me, but I do remember what JESUS said!! He said "Come to me, and I will give you rest".

I went to her bedroom, got down on my knees besides her bed and I poured my heart out to HIM. I asked Him to forgive me and make me a new creation. I cried out to Him and confessed everything that He brought to my mind. EVERYTHING!! And He washed all my sins away with His blood!!! I was changed that day, forever! And Jesus became famous to me!!!

After that awesome day, I became a new person. I had a skip in my step, and a smile on my face. The first Sunday after I became a Christian, I went to church. I was baptized. I met many Christians who also knew Jesus. I became part of a new family. They accepted me and loved me. And I needed them more than ever. I was getting ready to leave for S.C. April came fast and it was time for me to go. Part of me was ready, and part of me was not. I didn't want to leave my new family, but I was signed up and had to go. Or so I thought!!

When I went down to the MEPS, I had to get another height/weight check and swear in for a second time. I remember stepping on the scale and hearing the person taking my weight say that I was 1 1/2 pds over the weight limit. I asked what that meant. Because I was over the limit, my contract with the Army was null and void. I wasn't going anywhere!! I couldn't believe what I was hearing!! Really, 1 1/2 pds!!! I can lose that on the plane ride down to S.C. My recruiter was ticked at me!! He didn't talk to me the whole way back to my house. When we got to my house, he took my luggage out of the car and left!! I was devastated!!

To this day.... I believe it was all in God's plan!! It took me a few Sunday's to go back to church. I was embarrassed. My church family gave me a going away party, gave me gifts, and I was still here! But, the day I went back to church, they surrounded me and they were so happy I was still here. They really didn't want me to go. Deep down in my heart, I didn't want to go either!!

Again....Jesus was famous to me!! He knew the plans he had for me. Plans to stay out of the Army. Plans to stay at the church I was at. Plans to develop a closer relationship to a man named Marvin Metcalf!!! Thank you Jesus!!

Is He famous to you? Do you want Him to become famous to you? If you want to know more about this famous Jesus, I will share about Him with you. Contact me at shewith4@aol.com and I will introduce Him to you:)

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