Monday, April 20, 2009

Who Asked You?

I still remember where I was when I heard it; the question that has the potential to alter one's entire view of life. The question that is so simple, and yet at the same time, so difficult to get out. The question that demands an answer and determines your destiny.

"When you die will you go to heaven?"

Looking back I am certain this question, and all of the circumstances surrounding it, were carefully planned and put into action by none other than God Himself. After all it is God who draws us to Himself, He only uses people as His mouthpiece.

I had attended church regularly as a little girl, but not so much after my parent's divorce.

And then, during the year I was 12 years old, my relationship with my mother had become so filled with tension that I moved in with my Grandparents. Directly behind them lived a Pastor, his wife and 3 sons. Not surprisingly that family was everything mine wasn't, including filled with laughter, fun and faith.


One evening as the Pastor's wife and I were chatting she asked the question:

"Will you go to heaven when you die?"

"I think so." Was my uncertain reply.

"Do you want to be sure?"

(OK who doesn't want to be sure? Of course I wanted to be sure!!!)

"Then you just ask Jesus into your heart through prayer. Do you want to do that now?"


That was all there was to it. She prayed, I prayed, and Jesus took up residence in my heart. How do I know?


Because my life was never the same after that day. No, it wasn't (and still isn't) perfect, but I began to know a hope and a future that I had never known before. Reading my bible, even if I didn't understand it, filled me with excitement.

Unfortunately there were many times over the years when I chose my own paths over godly ones. In fact I have chosen to go down some very dark alleys of rebellion, for which I have endured costly consequences, and yet I know that I was never alone. God allowed me to choose the path but He never left my side and throughout it all He never stopped calling me back to Himself.


A short time later the Pastor's family moved away and I haven't seen or heard from them since. But sometimes I wonder......

--Does she have any idea that the seed she planted over 30 years ago has been tended and cared for and harvested in a big way?

--Does she know that because she was bold enough to ask the question, the man I married has come to a saving faith in Jesus?
--Does she realize that my mother has re-confirmed her faith after attending church with our family?

--Does she know that my children, the next generation, will be spending eternity in heaven?


I guess if I don't get a chance to tell her all of these things here on earth I will definitely be relating them to her in heaven! Will you be there? Do you want to know for sure? If you have already made that decision then let me ask you this:


Who asked you?

Who have you asked?

Easter Sunday was especially meaningful to my family this year as we celebrated the baptism of my two youngest children. Does life get any better than knowing that each of your children has confirmed their heavenly destiny through public confession of Jesus Christ as Lord and submitting to the cleansing of Christian Baptism?


I am so glad that "once upon a time" someone had the courage to ask....



19 comments:

luvmy4sons said...

So often we do not get to see the harvest...but it is so good to be about God's business. Praise God for the woman who asked you! And praise God for the blessing of your children's baptisms! It IS a comfort and a blessing to see them take that step. The journey ahead may be full of pit falls as yours was, as mine was...but God is faithful to finish the good work He began in them! Good to see ya around my place. Thanks for the visit and sweet comments! Have a great Monday!

Jerralea said...

I enjoyed reading your testimony. In a way, mine is similar. I had always went to church, but I was 14before anyone asked me personally if I wanted to accept Christ! The lady who asked me was a Girls Auxiliary leader in my local church. Today she is in a nursing home and cannot speak, but someday I'll be able to tell her what she has meant to me.

Laurie Ann said...

Who asked me? Many many many people in church growing up, but the one that finally did it was very special to me. Who have I asked? Oh, not as many as I should! I must be aware to witness more.

Congratulations on your children's decisions and baptisms! There is no feeling like it in the world! Kristyn was 9 when she made her profession of faith and I remember my heart felt full to bursting!

Kelly said...

Congratulations! My oldest was baptized recently too! What a blessing! YAY!

Runner Mom said...

This is awesome Kelley! What a great witness she was to you, and look at what her question has done for God! So happy and excitd that your little ones now belong to HIm as well! The pictures are precious. Miss you!

Hugs,
Susan

Kathy Schwanke said...

Precious. I remember the summer day my kids were baptised in a lake...my mama heart swelled with great joy!

God bless your family Kelley!

Joyful said...

Awe Kelley, I had read about this on FB, but how your sharing here has touched my heart. Your pics made me cry. Rejoicing with you and praising the Lord for a Pastor and his family who showed you God's love and introduced you to the Savior.

Thanks for the challenge. I have asked the question in the past, but not recently. Thanks for encouraging me to find courage to ask it again.

Hugs,
Joy

Darlene said...

Too many times we think the Harvest is in another country. We don't realize it is right next door! I am ashamed to answer that I don't ask near enough! Thanks for this wonderful post! The pictures are great!

lksully said...

Kelley,

I loved reading this. Thanks for sharing this awesome story. I enjoyed the pics, too. I'd seen them on facebook, but I love the story that you've written here.

Have a great rest of the week.

Laura

Christina said...

Awesome testimony on how you came to give your heart to Jesus.

I love the pictures. The baptism looked amazing. I love watching the little one's go into the baptismal. Their young heart, their smiles, all ready to take a leap of faith. Amazing.

Susan said...

Oh boy, what a treat!! So good to hear from you Kelly.

YOU'VE BEEN MISSED.

What a blessings those neighbors were in your life.

I'm spending time with a little girl from India, she lives down the block.

I pray I can be the same kind of influence in her life.

Have a blessed day♥

Leaon Mary said...

I'm cheering for your family!
Awesome news!

In my 20's a neighbor and I started walking together and she asked me!

The Great Commission.... we're all called to it! Each one of us.
I'm happy for the reminder today.

We should all call someone tonight and tell them the good news and at the end say, "Now DONT tell anybody I told you." It would be to the four corners by morning!

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

My oldest daughter was baptised on mother's day when she was young. Don't you know I remember that always (and when I have forgotten for a moment, she reminds me every mothers day). It was the best mothers day gift I have ever received.

Rachel Beran said...

I have a very similar story. I was led to the Lord by my pastor's wife when I was 6 years old (after listening to her husband preach I knew I wanted to be saved). Like you, I had some very rebellious years and am regretful of it, but through it all the Lord kept calling me back to himself.

Anyway, I was saved at such a young age because someone cared enough to take the time. I have recently thought about tracking down my old pastor's wife to say thank you because I'm not sure that she remembers that day like I do. :) Either way she will know on the other side.

Reminds me again of how important it is teaching Sunday school. I'm just planting the seeds that someone else may water. Only God knows how many people we are blessing when we are obedient to Him.

Thanks for sharing!

Holly said...

Congratulations to your children on their baptisms. :)

luvmy4sons said...

Just think of you now and then...wanted you to know!

Joyeful said...

This is just beautiful and powerful and inspiring--all rolled into one! Salvation is so simple and yet so miraculous. A simple question and a simple answer can save a soul from death!

I praise God for your testimony!

Angela Baylis said...

Oh, Kelley! I'm praising God (with tears in my eyes) for bringing your grandparents' neighbors into your life when you needed them! It was NOT a coincidence and I know I don't have to tell you that. I feel like your family was very similar to mine. This post makes me want to be bold!
I LOVE how you write and how you share your life with us!
Love,
Angie xoxo

Carol said...

Precious! How awesome!