If Jesus is the Lighthouse illuminating the raging seas for lost ships to find their way, she is my spiritual compass guiding me away from dangerous coastlines.
When I was little, her nighttime prayers sent me peacefully into slumber and as I grew older her stories of faith kept me anchored to Him no matter how close I sailed toward the treacherous rocks. I would ask again and again for her to enliven the night with faith stories as we laid together on my twin bed during my college days. Well into midnight, we would laugh, cry and wrestle out the hard things of life knowing that God is indeed faithful to write a happy ending, even when we haven't turned the last page to read it.
Several years ago, she wrote some of these stories together. This is one of them.
"There are times when the Lord asks us to do something that we just don't want to do. Yet, when we are faithful to that call, we reap a blessing.
One day our church asked us to go to the park to share our faith. If I went, what would people think of me? What would I say? I didn't know the Bible.
My friend Mary was my encourager. "You can do it. Don't be ashamed of what you believe."
Nervous with hesitancy, I went to the park. We arrived at families relaxing, children playing, people walking along the path. I don't know anything. I can't do this.
Again, Mary firmly encouraged. "You know your story."
Yes, my testimony was all I had to offer.
I walked in circles at the park for what seemed like hours. In the distance I saw a man swinging his little girl. I stood there, hypnotized by the girl swinging back and forth, back and forth. Frozen with trembled fear, the man starred back with a suspicious look and somehow I dug deep to collect a mustard seed of courage inside me and walked toward him.
"Do you know Jesus?"
Strange, puzzled look came across on his face and he grabbed his daugther and left without saying a word.
I wanted to run and hide. I was nervous, intimidated and uncomfortable. This is what God wants me to do for Him?
Don't be ashamed of what you believe.
I found my friend Mary who was sitting beside a young couple. She invited me to share my testimony and with more ease, I spoke as they listened with enthusiasm. The day's nerves were long forgotten.
The next morning I went back to my routine, starting off the day like any other. However, there was one difference. I couldn't stop smiling, even when I tried not to.
I walked into work, unbeknownst to the radiance on my face. One by one, coworkers said, "Why are you smiling? You are glowing."
I felt something inside. From the deep parts of my soul to the surface of my skin. My soul magnified the Lord and a joy unspeakable ran through my veins. If I had one more ounce of joy, my body would literally burst. This earthenware vessel simply could not contain it. It was unexplainable.
Never again did I have an encounter with Joy as on that day. I knew God chose to bless me that day for being faithful. I had a small taste of heaven, knowing what we have to look forward to. And more importantly, I learned the joy found in obedience. "
- Mom
