~Laura~
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:28 pm
When I came to Michigan one of the requirements from where I was staying is that I attended church.
So every Sunday I'd be a bundle of nerves to go into a holy building with people that were so much better than I was. I knew the dirt I had on me.
Every Sunday this older woman would greet me with a huge smile and a genuine hug and tell me wonderful things like she's glad I came and want to know about me and wouldn't allow others to distract her. As if I was someone special. Oh my I was overwhelmed with such love and acceptance. I wasn't worthy of her time. I couldn't look her in the eye and I couldn't hardly speak. I just kept thinking she possibly couldn't want to know about ME! I'm certain she saw my insecurities and fears. Then after church she's hug me again and would tell me she hoped I came back. I knew it was real. She wasn't just saying that to be polite. The cold hard heart with in me was melting every time I met her with in the church.
Then one day I wanted to run out the door and never come back. And there was Laura. She said she had to have one more hug from me. And I burst into tears. There in the foyer of the church just feet from the front door, crowded with people. I was a mess. I wore a ton of make up back then and it was running all down my face. I was a mess. She put her hands on my face and held my head up so she could look into my eyes. And asked what was wrong. I tried to talk. But couldn't. Finally I managed to say to her, "If only you knew who I was." She said she knew who I was. She said I was Gods child. No I wasn't. I was to sinful. I couldn't possibly be His child. I said, "If only you knew what I've done." She smiled and said it doesn't matter what you've done, God still loves you and so do I." It was such a relief to expose my sinful ways to this kind loving person. I felt as if I'd been living a lie by going into that building week after week knowing what a sinner I was.
This lovely lady who was one of the first to show me Jesus passed away this week. It is my prayer that her reward is great. God loves her and so do I!
Thank you for letting me share.
So every Sunday I'd be a bundle of nerves to go into a holy building with people that were so much better than I was. I knew the dirt I had on me.
Every Sunday this older woman would greet me with a huge smile and a genuine hug and tell me wonderful things like she's glad I came and want to know about me and wouldn't allow others to distract her. As if I was someone special. Oh my I was overwhelmed with such love and acceptance. I wasn't worthy of her time. I couldn't look her in the eye and I couldn't hardly speak. I just kept thinking she possibly couldn't want to know about ME! I'm certain she saw my insecurities and fears. Then after church she's hug me again and would tell me she hoped I came back. I knew it was real. She wasn't just saying that to be polite. The cold hard heart with in me was melting every time I met her with in the church.
Then one day I wanted to run out the door and never come back. And there was Laura. She said she had to have one more hug from me. And I burst into tears. There in the foyer of the church just feet from the front door, crowded with people. I was a mess. I wore a ton of make up back then and it was running all down my face. I was a mess. She put her hands on my face and held my head up so she could look into my eyes. And asked what was wrong. I tried to talk. But couldn't. Finally I managed to say to her, "If only you knew who I was." She said she knew who I was. She said I was Gods child. No I wasn't. I was to sinful. I couldn't possibly be His child. I said, "If only you knew what I've done." She smiled and said it doesn't matter what you've done, God still loves you and so do I." It was such a relief to expose my sinful ways to this kind loving person. I felt as if I'd been living a lie by going into that building week after week knowing what a sinner I was.
This lovely lady who was one of the first to show me Jesus passed away this week. It is my prayer that her reward is great. God loves her and so do I!
Thank you for letting me share.