My Testimony

I was born in a small Ohio town.  When I was 7 years old, we moved to Columbus, Ohio, a large city and full of wonders for me at that age.  I was a little frightened to start school there because there were so many children of so many colors and nationalities, and I felt like a 'misfit' for a while.   Both my parents worked outside the home, and I suppose one could call me a 'latchkey kid.'  I remember being frightened alone and would sit in a chair with its back to the wall so no one could slip behind me and stab me in the back (grin).   Television would keep my mind off my fears most of the time.  However, if it stormed and the TV had to be turned off, I would sit as still as a stone until my parents came home, about 6 or 7 p.m. each night.

Neither of my parents were religious.  They weren't atheists, believed in some 'god,' but they never went to church to my knowledge.   I occasionally went to one church or another with friends from school.  One week, I was Baptist, the next, Presbyterian, and so forth.  I must confess I did not pay much attention to sermons as a child.  I did enjoy the music in some of the churches.   If my parents cared one way or another about my going to church, they never said so.  They only had two rules.... make good grades and don't get pregnant!  lol

By the time I was a teenager, I was pretty independent.  I made good grades in school, kept my 'nose clean,' at least as far as my parents' knowledge was concerned.  I did odd jobs and saved money and got my first car when I was 16.  After my homework was done, I would drive the car up and down Broad Street, cruising as we called it, and meet with friends.  While I never got into any serious trouble, I did experiment with substances I should not have and generally lived life the way I wanted to -- no questions asked by anyone.

After high school, I went to college and became a nurse.  Don't ask me why.  I don't know.  Fortunately, I like the work.  

As you can see, my life lacked discipline and direction, but I did not think so at the time.  I was 'proud' of being able to 'go with the flow.'  I kept my thoughts to myself and tried to fit in with whatever friends I had at the time.

One Saturday morning, early last year, I heard a knock on the door.  I was in my robe and decided not to answer the knock.  After whoever it was left, I opened the door and peeked outside.  On the door handle was a 'flyer' from a local Baptist church.  They were having a 'revival' and were inviting people to attend.  I don't know why exactly, but I decided to go that night to see what was happening.  I figured I had nothing better to do. 

Well, that was the beginning of a drastic change in my life.  The minister was not much older than I was (I am 24 now), and he had a lot of 'charisma,' for lack of a better word.  He was a 'visiting minister' from another city, and he brought his own piano player, song leader, etc. with him.  Well, the music was 'out of this world.'  I was fascinated by the whole group really.   During the sermon, he talked about God having a plan for everyone's life.  I thought to myself, 'not mine!'  I hate planned life.  (smile)  Still, I thought that it would be nice not to be aimless all the time.  There was an old friend from high school there, and she is a Christian.  She told me how glad she was to see me and asked me to return the next night.  I did.

The next night, the minister preached on Romans 3:10 -- there is none righteous, no not one.  I had never thought of my personal shortcomings in that way, much less consider myself a 'sinner.'  I thought, 'how masochistic!' (grin)  BUT, something happened to me during this sermon.  I started feeling 'guilty,' not a feeling I enjoyed nor one I had felt often.  When the 'altar call' was made, they sang a song called 'Just As I Am.'  The words said that God would accept me just as I am.  I began to feel a little tug inside me, but I did not make any decision and did not budge an inch from my seat.  I returned the next night.

By the third night, when the 'guilt feelings' would start, I would leave!  (ha ha)  If the minister was in the center of the front of the room, I would take off down a side aisle.  If he was moving toward the side, I scooted down the middle.  By the fifth night, people around me would watch to see 'how long I could last!'  On that night, on my way out, about 3/4ths of the way through the service, I was walking out with my head downward, watching my feet (also no one could see my face clearly and see that I was embarrassed) and I bumped into a guy on the way out.  He was a deacon.  Out in the vestibule, he asked me why I wanted to leave at the best part of the service.  I told him the best part was the music.   'Oh no' he said.  The best part is when Jesus is calling you.  You are turning your back on the Lord each time you walk out.'  I hadn't thought of it that way but had to admit he had a point.

On the sixth night (7 nights all together), I decided to 'stick it out' to the end of the service.  They sang 'Almost Persuaded,' and I was, almost.  I started talking seriously to myself.  'Abby,' I said.   'Do you really want this kind of life?  Do these people have any fun in life?' and so it went in my head.  Just as I thought I was 'home free,' a tremendous desire to accept Jesus as my personal Savior overtook me.  That's the best way I can describe it.  So, I pulled my white fingers from the bench I had been holding on to fiercely and stepped out to go forward.  My friend met me in the aisle and went with me to pray.  The rest his history.  I became a real child of God that night.   They baptized me the next day and I joined the church.  Perhaps they were afraid I would change my mind and run again! (grin)

I've never been sorry about that decision and have never looked back.  It would take a book to tell you of what God has done for me since then and how much I enjoy serving Him.  My life is no longer aimless, and I intend to serve Him until the day I die.  I spend almost as much time with 'church' work as I do at my job and wish I had more time to do God's work.   I have had some trials and made some mistakes but, as we are told, confess your faults one to another and He will forgive.  And, He does. 

I have so much to learn...about God, Jesus, the scriptures, but I have new eyes and new ears to use in my learning and new understanding of what used to be 'greek' to me. 

People sometimes think their little contribution doesn't mean much.  But I wish to say this:  whoever took the trouble to leave the little flyer on my door helped save a soul... mine.  Whoever it is, I thank you so much.  God bless you.  And the same goes for the deacon who cared enough to stop me in my path!  They are angels! 

So, that is my story. Nothing so different or spectacular, but amazing to me!  I an truly say...'I know whom I have believed... that He would care for insignificant me is just truly amazing.  Thank you Lord.

Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home;
Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and
What did I see,
Comin' for to carry me home?
A band of angels comin' after me,
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home

If you get there before I do
Comin' for to carry me home,
Tell all my friends I'm comin' too
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home;
Sometimes I'm up,
Sometimes I'm down,
Comin' for to carry me home;

Yet still my soul feels heavn'ly bound,
Comin' for to carry me home

Swing low, sweet chariot
Comin' for to carry me home