Listening to music this morning, this song brought tears – tears of joy – to my eyes. It has been 66 years since I started this race with Jesus Christ. There have been mountain tops of great joy, great excitement (to mention only a few – marriage, birth of children and grandchildren) and valleys of sorrow and pain (to mention only a few – death of first husband, oldest son and grandchildren, cancer). But one thing has remained true through it all – He has proved to be that “friend that sticks closer than a brother.”
Thank God for His grace. This song says it all!
I was just six years old. Too young many would say to know what I was really doing. But I knew.
Growing up in a family that attended church every Sunday and where my parents practiced what they preached on Monday through Saturday also, I understood that Jesus loved everyone – even “sinners.”
I wasn’t totally sure what all being a sinner included, but I knew I was not one.
Until one evening at church, I recognized I was.
I was coloring during the sermon on a Sunday night when I heard the speaker say
We put sins into a “big” and a “small” category. But sin is sin regardless of how big or how small it seems.
He then mentioned what we call “small” sin – like lying or disobeying our parents. Now he had my attention. Just that week I had disobeyed my mother – and then lied to keep from getting in trouble.
I was a sinner!
Now many may laugh at this or even say how terrible to make a six-year-old feel she was a sinner.
But for me, it was one of the most important times in my life. Because I knew that Jesus loved sinners – and that He loved me. I also knew what I needed to do.
So – I went back to coloring and waited until the end of the sermon. When the message was over, I put my colors and my coloring book aside and walked to the front of the church where I asked Jesus not only to forgive me, but I also committed my life to His service.
Yes, I was only six, but yes I knew what I was doing.
Shortly after that I was baptized as an outward sign of what had taken place in my life. Our church did not have a baptismal so we went to a farm pond where I, with several others, was baptized.
Since I am scared of water and do not even like having water in my face in the shower, it was a BIG step of faith to walk out into that pond.
But what a wonderful experience it was.
Just turning 72 this year, I have been following Jesus for 66 years.
It has been a great walk with a great friend!!!
Grandma's Ramblings 
Such a cute little girl, and congratulations. (So uncomfortable to be in that water in regular clothes! I hope your parents had something to change into. Or else that it was a hot day and they dried quickly. Sorry. This is where my mind goes.) 🙂
LikeLike
I love where your mind goes. Yes, my parents brought more clothes for me to change into.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phew!
LikeLike
Or perhaps that wasn’t your parents in there with you–I realize that now. But my point still stands! Whoever they are, they’re probably still feeling the discomfort of clingy wet pants! 😉
LikeLike
No that was not my parents. It was the pastor of the church and elders. Since that was 66 years ago – I imagine they are in dry clothes now (or actually dead now so hopefully their robes in heaven are dry). Now – you have got my mind going there too! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Heehee. So sorry! You don’t want your mind to be where my mind is. Usually it’s a scary place. 🙂
LikeLike
But I suspect a place of fun and laughter!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hopefully most of the time. 🙂
LikeLike
awesome memories and photos!
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Barbara, I love your story and the photos just bring me back to a simpler time. You are one beautiful woman who has influenced so many people around you and I am one of them. thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for the kind words. As I come to the end of life, I pray that I have been an influence for God. Your friendship has been such a blessing.
LikeLike
Thank you, Barbara. Children do understand and make commitments. — I was 29 when I gave my heart to Jesus and was baptized. I, too, was afraid of water and even though I was baptized in a church baptistry, I thought I might drown and go to heaven right then. The first thing the pastor said to me afterwards was that he hadn’t ever let anyone drown. —
LikeLike
Well drowning would have been bad – but going to heaven – good. 🙂
LikeLike