I can remember being at my Granny's house when I was a little girl, probably seven or eight. I would ask her to turn on the christian TV station at night when I laid on the couch to go to sleep. The station was beautiful christian music that played and showed pictures of waterfalls, streams and other pretty landscapes. I loved that.
One particular night, I was laying there listening to the music and a man's voice came on. He told me that I could go to heaven just by accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, that I just had to pray this prayer. Now I knew who Jesus was and what he'd done for me even though I didn't really grow up in church, my Granny told me about Him. I remembered getting a little book while we were out that day, it had a smiley face on it and it had the same prayer that the man was praying. I closed my eyes and prayed that prayer with him, holding that little book tightly...not really knowing all that it meant.
Later, when I was around 12 years old I went to church with my mom and Granny and felt the Holy Spirit. I can't remember the day or what the sermon was about...I know I was bored being in "big church" but when the pastor told us to bow and that if we felt like we needed to be saved to raise our hand, I raised mine. I didn't know why and I didn't want to go to the front to be prayed over. A women sitting behind me saw that I'd raised my hand and asked if she could pray for me. I let her of course and I felt so happy! The Holy Spirit was all over me! I was saved.
I didn't go to church until I was in middle school but I loved it. I was so happy there, I volunteered in the nursery, went to Wednesday night "teen" church and was also in the choir. It was my happy place. Sadly though, it didn't last long because our pastor was not the person he claimed to be. We stopped visiting that church and I didn't go to church again until I was pregnant with my son.
About 3 years ago I began feeling a pull to go back to church, I knew that I needed to go but wasn't sure where. I started going with my mother in law to her church until my husband decided we should find our church home. We visited our current church the following weekend and I immediately knew we were where we were supposed to be. We joined a small group, I was baptized and we became members that year. Things were going really well and I was happy again but something was missing. We stopped going every Sunday and were starting to stagger Wednesday nights, it just wasn't something we were making a priority.
It wasn't until April of this year that I really started feeling that pull again. Jesus was calling me to Him and I had begun praying daily again. I was asking Him to help me because I knew that I wasn't where I needed to be. My eyes were opened a little bit more after hearing the testimony of a friend in our small group. A seed was planted...but it wasn't until I went to the Allure ladies retreat that my life was truly changed. I had been invited and wanted to go very badly but wasn't planning to go due to other plans that were going on that weekend. One of the girls who had committed to go kept asking me and telling me that she wished I could go and I decided that I needed to go. I moved some things around, got over my fear of not knowing the other women and went. Best. Decision. Of. My. Life. I am changed. I never knew what I was missing until Jesus called to me, He opened my eyes and I was shown just how much He loves me and just how much I needed Him. I am truly a woman of God now, a bride of Christ. It's a wonderful feeling.
Here is a journal entry that I wrote while on the retreat, I read this when I am feeling low and need a reminder.
" It was amazing to know that He was with me, singing over me saying "That's MY girl" she is beautiful and wonderful and I value her so much that I gave my life for HER. I am making a place for her in my Father's house and will return for her soon."
So good. If you would like more information on the Allure retreat please visit Something Abundant Ministries at www.
Have a blessed day!
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