How I Met The Savior

HOW I MET THE SAVIOR

I was married in October of 1970 and by Dec. of 1980 had given birth to four children. Over the next ten years my marriage fell apart resulting in divorce. I then took up with a man who was 22 years older than me. Not wanting to remarry, I settled for us just living together. The relationship was not very promising. Resentment developed between my almost grown children and this person I lived with. There were so many arguments that just grew in number and intensity daily. Then his health started to decline; diabetes, kidney failure (resulting in the need for dialysis),high blood pressure, heart problems, cancer and numerous operations. On 12/23/04, he fell and broke his hip. Four days later, after two more operations, he passed away.

In the weeks that followed his death I had mixed emotions. Grieving...yes, but relieved that it was finally over. Now, for the first time ever, I was alone....totally alone. Words can’t describe the dread and gloom that overtook me. There was a darkness hanging over me that I just couldn’t escape. Never had I felt such loneliness, hopelessness and total despair. Something was terribly wrong. Life held no interest for me. I lost all desire to communicate with loved ones and friends.

No one knew how I felt. I didn’t care to tell anyone either. Just getting out of bed in the morning was an effort. I would struggle with that and just drag myself through the day. Night time was the worst. I was so exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. I spent hours crying without really knowing why. I began to pray and cry out loud, "God, what is wrong with me? Why do I feel this way?" I pleaded with Him. " Please just make me feel better! Whatever it takes please just make me feel better!"

I didn’t know then what I know now. I didn’t know that sin separates one from God. I didn’t know that the separation was the cause for how bad I felt. I just knew there wasn’t anyone I could turn to for help except God!

Romans 10:13 "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Praise God! He heard me and answered in a very special way...in a way that only God could answer. I came home one day to a message on my answering machine. It was from my nephew, Ricky. Although I refer to him as my nephew, he is actually my brother’s step son from his second marriage. When I first met him, he was about 14 or 15 years old. We shared a common bond as we both enjoyed the music of the Beatles. He was learning how to play their songs on his guitar. He may have visited 5 or 6 times. But now I hadn’t heard from him in over 25 years!

I ignored his message as well as several others he left after that. Never once did I return his call. I just didn’t feel like talking to anyone. Then one day the phone rang and I answered it. It was Ricky. We talked for awhile catching up on things. He told me how he was then playing in a band called Beatlemania Now. He was a professional entertainer. Then he asked me, "Aunt Liz, what is going on in your life? I don’t know why now, but God has put it upon my heart to come see you." I didn’t make the connection at that time between my cries to God for help and Ricky’s desire to visit. At first I resisted his request. I just thought he had turned into some kind of a religious nut. Finally, after a couple of weeks, I gave in. On a snowy day in March, Ricky came to visit. He stayed for 4 days during which time he shared his testiomony with me and told me how God was working in his life. He shared Bible passages with me, played his guitar and sang songs. God spoke to my heart through one of those songs ( I'm Your Beloved ). As I listened to the words of the song something inside of me changed. I felt humble and unworthy of God’s love and yet somehow I knew He loved me. For the first time in weeks I felt a sense of relief. The burden had been lifted from me. I realized then what was wrong. I had been living my life without God in it!

Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

On Ricky’s last night we stayed up late talking. I felt that something was missing. I asked him, "So what am I suppose to do now?" He responded, "What do you mean?" I answered, "Well you know that I believe in God...you know I believe in His Son Jesus and that He died on the cross for my sins. So what do I do now? Where do I go from here?" He was thoughtful for a moment and then asked, "Have you ever prayed the sinner’s prayer?" I said. "No, I never heard of it." He questioned, "Would you like to?" Moments later Ricky was leading me in prayer. I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and committed my life to Him. I felt as though I had taken some kind of a vow. Indeed I had! I was the first person Ricky had ever led to the Lord.

Luke 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Have you met the Savior? If you are reading this and you have not yet met Him, please consider this. The same God that loves me, loves you too. The same God that heard my prayer...my cry for help, waits to hear from you also. The same God that forgave me for all my sins will forgive yours too. Call on the name of the Lord. Come to Him and let the angels rejoice!

 Lord it was You who created the Heavens

Lord it was Your hand that put the stars in their place

Lord it was Your voice that commanded the morning

Even oceans and the waves bow at Your feet

Lord who am I compared to Your glory? Oh Lord!

Lord who am I compared to Your majesty?

I am Your beloved, Your creation

and You love me just as I am

and You call me chosen for your Kingdom

I'm ashamed to call me your own

I am Your beloved