I have been pondering the power of all that happened on this day 38 years ago. I’ve said it before that it is an unusual thing that a person can say a few words and have their life change completely. That’s what happened to me on this day in 1979.
I didn’t know what I was doing and certainly didn’t know the profound effect that the words I prayed would have on my life. I was 14 years old and had read and been told how in order to ‘be ready to die’ I needed to ‘invite Jesus into my heart.’ I had learned that if I invited Jesus into my heart, I would be ready to die. I had to take that step to put into action. So I did. Quietly. On my own. In my bedroom. I prayed and asked Jesus to come into my heart and take over my life.
He did.
Ten Things I Didn’t Know Would Happen When I Prayed That Prayer
- I suddenly had a solid foundation. At that time, I was living with my Dad. My Mom had moved out two years before and I did not have her in my life on a daily basis. The stage upon which my life was unfolding felt shaky and lacked the emotional support I needed. After I asked Jesus into my heart, suddenly it was rock solid. It went from rickety to secure in one sentence. I now had Someone to turn to who knew my needs and watched my back. He was with me and I felt secure in Him.
- I felt loved. While I knew my parents loved me, God’s love is so much bigger, more profound and permanent. While my parents have passed away and can no longer show me love, God’s love for me continues. He squeezes my heart and reminds me I am not alone and I am loved very much.
- I got direction. God knows everything and when I started a relationship with Him, He would direct my path. I prayed about everything and asked Him for advice on all that I wanted to do. I laid before Him my exams, my dreams, my relationships and all my plans. He made my path straight. He directed me to the right people, especially the gift of Mike – this amazing guy who is just perfect for me. We are so very different, yet perfect together.
- Education! He taught me through His Word. After I invited Jesus into my heart, He gave me a hunger for His Word. It was the Guidebook for Christianity and I knew that if I wanted to know God better, I needed to dive in and start reading. The excitement and stirring I got when I read John 1 has never left me. It was probably the first full chapter of the Bible that I read and in it I read powerful words of life. John 1:12 “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” I was His child.
- He gave me sense! The Bible is filled with sound advice for this life. From financial, to relationships, to raising a family, to living abundantly. His Word became my self-help manual. The fact that I am happily married today is due to the prayer I prayed that day.
- Discipline. When I prayed that prayer, I learned there was a right way to live. There have been times that I have walked off the right path, but God has not let me go far. He has dragged me back, sometimes against my will, but He would not let me go. He had His plan and He was to ensure He would have His way.
- He changed my attitude. He has shown me love is the greater way. I didn’t change immediately. He has had to teach me and this is an ongoing process. I didn’t know I’d feel this way when I asked Him to come into my heart.
- He taught me relationships are more important than stuff. When we die, there will be people, not all the things we worry about and spend money on.
- He gave me hope. On that day, I knew that whatever happened it was all going to be okay. God is not a God of confusion. He is a God of order and He put inside me knowledge that if I followed His guidance I would be okay. I knew I could trust Him for my future.
- He gave me freedom. I didn’t know when I was asked Jesus into my heart and I signed up for so-called “religion” that I would be so free. I am forgiven and live without guilt. You don’t get more free than that.
#359 of my 1000 thanks is for God’s salvation through Jesus Christ that became mine on this day in 1979.
These are the days!
Keep the smile going!
God bless you!
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂