Tuesday, September 19, 2006

September 19, 1989

What's with the date? Well, on September 19, 1989, the Lord in His goodness and kindness saved me from eternal separation from Him!! Praise the Lord!!!

I was in college and was miserable. It was the beginning of my sophomore year and before I had returned to college, my dad had asked me if I was 100% positive that I would go to Heaven when I died. "Of course I'm positive" I growled back at him. I had no idea why he was asking me that. I only knew that I wanted him to stop talking about "religious stuff" with me.

I grew up in a wonderful Christian family. I am blessed to say that both of my parents are born again followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were at church every time the doors were open. I was a "good" girl. But when I got to college, I wasn't so "good" after all. My freshman year, I knew I was living a very sinful life. I knew that not only was I disobeying my parents but also that I didn't really care if I was disobeying the Lord. I figured He was too busy to pay attention to little ol' me.

Shortly after my dad asked me about going to Heaven, I returned to college. I remember being invited to some "Welcome Back" parties and I went to one. Everyone was drinking and, for some reason, I had no desire to drink. My friends were confused. I was confused. I LOVED a good party... but not tonight.

The next day, classes started. For some strange reason, some people in my dorm had invited me to two different "Welcome Back" parties for two different Christian organizations. The first one was the BSU (Baptist Student Union). I remember sitting in the meeting and someone stood up and sang "Thank You" by Ray Boltz. It starts off "I dreamed I went to Heaven...". What??? I thought. Oh my!! My dad was RIGHT!! I am NOT 100% positive I'll go to Heaven. It's nothing but a dream to me!!!!!

I tried to put these thoughts out of my mind and went to the next "Welcome Back" party with Campus Outreach. The man stood up to talk and talked about the only verse that I knew even though I had been in church my entire life. He talked about John 3:16. He said "Put your name in the blank. For God so loved _______ that He gave His only begotten Son..." I heard nothing more after that. God loved ME? Sure, I knew God loved "the world", but ME? This was so new to me. I could barely think!!!

The man asked people to pray a prayer with him and I just sat and watched. I meandered back to my dorm room, desperate to escape all the confusing thoughts swirling around inside my head. I got in bed, pulled up the covers and just cried. God, in His mercy, had been showing me my need of Him. He showed me my sin. He showed me that I was nothing apart from Him and my goodness was nothing but filthy rags to Him. In my tears, I prayed "Dear Lord. I don't know what I'm supposed to say, but I need You. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, I just know that I am a sinner and I would like to ask You to forgive me. Oh, and if it's not too much trouble, would You mind sending me a Christian friend that I can talk to about this?" And that was it.

The next day, I awoke and thought "Well, I think I'm supposed to read my Bible". I opened it up (I have NO idea why I had my Bible in college - that was God!!!) and started reading and IT MADE SENSE!! The blinders had been removed and His Spirit began teaching me the ways of God through His Word.

I left for my morning classes and returned to my dormroom shortly before lunch. A girl that lived in the dorm next to mine was returning from classes, too. I didn't like her the year before because she was a Christian. You know what happened? She asked me if I wanted to go to lunch!! Whoa!! That was a quick answer to prayer- a Christian friend!!!

That began my walk with the Lord. I am not perfect by ANY stretch of the imagination. BUT, I know the One who is perfect. Daily He is showing me the areas of my life that are not pleasing to Him. I am so incredibly grateful that He chose to save me. I am blessed to be called a Child of God.

Lord, You are so good to me. Your ways are higher than mine and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts.

Praise the Lord.

(Hey, y'all, go check out the "Bloggy Tour of Testimonies" at Created For His Glory!! How ENCOURAGING!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing what the Lord has done in people's lives!!!)

15 comments:

Susan P. said...

Mrs. U, thank you so much for sharing your testimony with us. It was deeply moving.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the celebration of your spiritual birth! I look forward to meeting you in Heaven!

Donna B
(a/k/a ladyofblessings)

Melissa said...

Happy Christian Birthday!

theups said...

Aw, thanks y'all. But thanks MOST to the GREAT LORD GOD WE SERVE!!! His salvation is wonderful beyond words!!!

His,
Mrs. U

Julieann said...

That was lovely, Mrs. U!!

Julieann

Marie said...

Always love to hear a good salvation story.

Shari said...

Happy Spiritual Birthdy!! how fantastic!
i think, if you don't mind, i'll blog this one.

Shari said...

hi there, if you don't mind, i put your link on my blog. :):):)

theups said...

Hi Shari!!!
Blog away!! And I would LOVE to have my link on your site!!! Do you mind if I put yours on mine??

His,
Mrs. U

Shari said...

oh wow, i'd be honored. i don't think i'm on anyone's site yet, lol. :):)

Kimberly said...

Mrs. U, what a great testament of what God has done! Thank you for posting your story. I love how quickly God answered your prayer for a Christian friend!

theups said...

Kim, I'm sure you know- God is AWESOME!! To think... He chose me. How INCREDIBLE of Him!

His,
Mrs. U

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful testimony! Thanks so much for sharing!

I have mine on my blog too!

Heather Smith said...

You have a beautiful testimony! I'm glad that you finally realized that God was pursuing you all along!! Thanks so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

God is so good! I love the way He orchestrated things for you and also how He opened your eyes to understand Scripture. It truly is amazing how He helps us understand that which once seemed so difficult. God bless!

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