The Pastor’s Wife Gets Saved

My post today is a little different.  It is not about loving Jesus and chocolate.  It is not about some crazy stunt I have pulled or some blonde moment that I have had.  It is a very personal experience that I feel God is leading me to share-my salvation story.  You see, I was the pastor’s wife who got saved.

 I grew up in a Christian home where my parents made sure my brother and I were in church every Sunday and Wednesday.  We were RAs, GAs , Acteens,  and involved in youth programs.  When I was in the 6^th grade, I remember the pastor coming to our home to present the gospel to me.  At that time I was a very shy person.  (I know that is is hard for my friends to imagine!)  I don’t think I fully understood what I was doing when I prayed the sinner’s prayer and walked the aisle of the church.  I don’t even fully recall my baptism except my brother was baptized too.

 After my husband and I married and we were in seminary, I began to struggle with my salvation experience.  I knew the bible, believed in God, but every time the invitation was given at church, my heart would pound out of my chest.  In attempts to end this struggle, I rededicated my life several times over the next several years.

 
It is said that a child will lead them.  This statement is so true, because during a revival when my children were young, they both accepted Jesus as their Savior.  However, it was my youngest son who simply told my husband that he believed in Jesus and then explained how to be saved.  There was no denying that our five year old was ready.  He made it look to easy and was so sure of his decision.  However, I was really struggling with what the evangelist preached.

 The next day was a hot, humid south Arkansas day and my heart was so troubled.  I decided that working in the yard would stop the agony I felt, but boy, was I wrong.  Over the next three hours I talked out loud to God.  I argued that I was saved as a child.  I got mad at God for how I was feeling.  I finally could not take it anymore.  I recalled how the evangelist spoke of a perfect peace.  I realized then I had never experienced this type of peace.  Right there in the middle of mowing my backyard with sweat dripping from my face I asked Jesus to be my Savior and bring a peace that surpasses all understanding to my heart.  Girls, the peace that immediately flooded my heart was unbelievable.

I was so scared of what my husband would say when I shared what had happened to me that day.  Although he was surprised at how I had felt about my childhood experience, he fully supported my decision.  Together, we presented me to our church for membership and baptism.  It is so unnerving for me because I felt I would be judged.  However, the church body came forward to embrace me.  I heard story after story of how other people had experienced the same doubt.

Although I am not a person who can just walk up to people, over the years I have shared my story with other people who are struggling.  I do not tell them that their experience was not real.  I simply tell them that if they are unsure of their salvation that Jesus is still waiting to provide them eternal life and perfect peace.  It has been my joy to see several of my dear friends come to know Jesus through sharing my salvation story with them.  I do not take credit because I believe God used my story to let others see that it is never too late.

 Why God is prompting me to tell you my story I do not know.  However, I do know that He has a purpose for it.