I was thirteen years old when I experienced one of the most difficult times in my life. At that age, I should have been enjoying life, but I was trapped by extreme anxiety to the point that I couldn’t sleep or relax. When I look back now, I know it was the turning point that led me to follow Jesus with my whole heart. At the time, I didn’t understand..
Around that time I started talking to Ruth, our pastor's wife. I have never met anyone as full of peace as she was. She radiated. At that time in my life, peace was what I desperately needed.
I remember sitting with her one Sunday, while she explained how simple knowing Jesus was. I’ve always known about Jesus, but the gospel seemed so complicated. Although I didn’t understand why difficult things had happened in my life, I knew I needed the peace Ruth was talking about. As I listened to Ruth, I started sensing that peace.
That afternoon, as the rest of the family was napping, I prayed a simple prayer: “God, if you are real like I’ve always heard you are, please come into my life and save me like I’ve always heard you can.” At the moment, I felt the same peace I sensed in Ruth. It filled my heart, along with a keen awareness of God’s presence.
I haven’t seen Ruth in a long time. If I do, I will tell her what an impact she has made on my life. If I don’t, I know that I’ll be able to tell her in heaven. I hope to someday embody peace to someone like she did for me.
Dear Father, thank you for Ruth and for how she led me to you. Please help me continue to walk in your peace and share it with others.
Consider This: Who is someone in your life who modeled Christ to you? How can you thank them, and do the same for others?
Additional Resource: Here is an article on sharing your faith.