I grew up in a non-Christian home. Both my parents worked hard, and drank hard. Mom sent us kids to church every Sunday though, something which has had a lasting effect on me. At the age of ten I started to attend a new Pentecostal Assembly Church in my home town of Nipigon Ontario. The pastor and his wife were both loving and accepting people, something that I needed so very much.
One Sunday morning I overheard the pastor talking to another girl who was a bit younger than I. I remember hearing the salvation message really for the first time. Before this, I thought as long as I was a good girl I would make it into heaven and I thought that you could earn your way into heaven by doing good deeds. This pastor spoke of Jesus like I had not heard anyone speak of him. I heard for the first time that Jesus loved me, that he loved me so much that he gave his life so I could be joined back to God again.
I stood and listened to him read the various bible passages from John and Romans. It changed my life. When he bowed his head and led the girl in the sinner’s prayer, I bowed mine and prayed along with them. But being a shy and fearful child, I didn’t tell him for some thirty years.
All through grade school my faith stood out, but that didn’t matter to me. God was my reason for living, even as a little girl I knew that. When I prayed, God heard and answered my prayers. So my heart would be forever his.
Then in high school it stood out even more when I did the daily scripture reading over the intercom to the four hundred and some odd students. Some ridiculed and some thought it brave. To say the ridiculing didn’t hurt would be a lie, but my love for God was great, and his love for me even greater. His love kept me and healed many wounds, over and over. So I prayed for those who made fun of me.
Although my life may have been hard at times, I have never looked back and never regretted my decision that one early Sunday morning. I have remained true to God all these years, and will remain true until I cross that river and see Christ face to face.
Lauren Harrison