It is hard to believe, but fifteen years ago today, I was born into God’s family.
I was fifteen years old, and traveling with my friend, Dixie, and her family. They were the assistants to tent Evangelist Jack Parchman. All summer long, Dixie traveled to exciting locations, getting to meet lots of people and singing in many tent revivals. I was privileged to travel with her for three weeks in the summer of ’93. We went to two meetings, one in Raymond, Illinois and another in East Prairie, MO. Right in the middle of our last week out together, the Lord convicted me of my sin and I knew I needed to call upon Him. You may be thinking that I went forward during one of Bro. Parchman’s sermons that week, but no, I didn’t. Ironically, I had just finished reading my Bible for the day when the Lord convicted me. I remember it clearly. I was closing up my Bible in Dixie’s travel trailer, after reading Ezra chapters 1-2, when the Holy Spirit said “Valerie, you aren’t saved. Those previous professions were not sincere. You were never under conviction for your sin.” I could feel the pang of conviction in my heart, and then fear! You see, I had made two professions of faith, one at age five and another at age six. I wanted to be saved, but I hadn’t really understood it all. I went forward because my friends did.
Until that day in 1993,I had been living the life of a Christian, to the best of human ability, without the inward conversion by the Lord Jesus Christ. I had read my Bible through at least once already. I was a soul winner. I was faithful to the church and teen group. I tried to do right. But I wasn’t truly saved. I’m so thankful the Lord brought this to my attention and that I had the good sense not to fight it. I knew I needed the Lord. I had been doubting my salvation constantly and I was ready to stop doubting! I immediately went to my friend’s Mom, Janet Ault, and told her I needed to be saved. She went over the points of salvation with me and asked me if I indeed needed the Lord, I said “Yes, I know what to do.” She prayed with me, and I was born into God’s family. What a load was lifted on that day!
I thank the Lord for godly friends. The Lord used the Ault family as instruments to my coming to Him. My friend, Dixie has never one time tried to entice me to do wrong in the seventeen-plus years we’ve known each other. She has been a blessing and encouragement to me all through my life. She is a gift that I am blessed to enjoy to this day.
However, today as I reflect on the events of this day in history, there is one predominant thought on my heart and mind. I am thinking about what Jesus did for me. He not only saved me, but He has blessed me a thousand times over with grace for trials, mercy, love, peace, joy, and forgiveness. Lots and lots of forgiveness.
Today, especially, I am so thankful for the glorious love of the Saviour “that made Him stoop to save a soul like mine.”