For we are God's handiwork, recreated in Christ Jesus, that we may do those good works which God predestined for us, taking paths which He prepared ahead of time, that we should walk in them, (Ephesians 2:10).I remember so well a little girl wearing a yellow dress with a white cotton bib like collar in the front. She dressed herself and walked proudly out the door early one Sunday morning.
She happily walks down a couple blocks to a local church where she hears these words being sung. The B.I.B.L.E that's the book for me, she makes her way down the isle and sits in the very front pew.
She turns around at the people singing behind her, they smile ,and she gets a wink from an elderly woman with white hair and glasses. The little girl smiles back , she continues to sing clapping her hands as the organ plays.
She had been taught this song along with Jesus Loves Me, from a sweet lady who opened up her home once a week to the neighborhood kids, telling them about the love of Jesus. She had such a gentle and kind spirit, her face lit up with a smile as she greeted each child at her front door.
That little girl was me, and the elderly woman that winked at me at church that day was that neighborhood lady. Her name was Mrs. Kelepolo, how do you forget the name of the very first person in your life who introduced you to Jesus. It wasn't by accident… this was a path that had been chosen for me by the Lord. He prepared it ahead of time.
I often wondered about this loving woman growing up... I never saw her again; as I got older I had chosen other paths, which I'm sure were not ones the Lord ever intended for me to take. He left those choices up to me, but I was taught as a child that "Yes… Jesus loves me.
You see, we leave him… he never leaves us. I tried to find her and was told she had passed away a month before my dad did in 2000. I never got to thank her, but one day I will see her in heaven, and I will have a chance to tell her how much she impacted my life.
Do you remember the first person who shared the Lord with you?
Encouragement From My Heart Devotions 2007-2010 By; Lorie A. Yocum
22 comments:
This post shows how very important it is for each of us to be doing what God places on our hearts. I wonder how many other children this dear lady reaches with that love extended?
I do remember a group of people in my neighborhood and only two people amongst them who continue walking in His path
My cousin and me.
Beautiful post!
I don't really remember who the first person was to tell me about Jesus but I would imagine it was my Mother. She always took me to church and read Bible stories to me. After I learned to read she bought me a set of books that I loved to read. The stories sometimes were only a page or two, maybe three. Those books taught me quiet a lot.
Enjoyed reading about how you first knew about Jesus.
Love you, AliceE.
My grandparents and I praise GOD for them to this day...what a profound impact they had on my life.
Blessings, andrea
Wonderful story. You write so well. As I was reading I had a mental picture of all that was going on. I do remember those who influenced me for Jesus. It wasn't just one person in my case, but many. I am grateful.
That gives me chills. We've been talking about this precious lady from our church that teaches our youngest that Jesus loves Him & what a blessing she is to our family. I know he will remember her forever! God is so good.
Wylie
What a neat post and a sentimental journey down memory lane for you. What a blessing all of those older white headed ladies were who loved little children and taught them about the love of God and His Son. I remember several women like that in my Sunday School years quite early. God bless them.
I'm sure she is not the first that ever introduced me to Jesus but the one woman I remember the most is Mary Faith. As an unwed mother of two she picked us up and took us to church services each week. And then she seen to it we made it to Sunday School and other church events. She showed me the true meaning of unconditional love. We became friends, she was a good mentor. Our paths crossed and then life took us separate ways. She was a good teacher and I still remember her many lessons. We stayed in touch frequently at first but now I know she is busy leading others to Christ. I thank God for her and her influence over me every day.
This is such a precious post. Yes, I remember the dear lady that first shared Jesus with me, will never forget her.
What a sweet post. I'm so sorry you couldn't find this woman before she went to the Lord.
Blessings,
Ginger
What a precious post. I guess the first person who really "shared Jesus" with me was in Sunday School when I was 11.
I was thinking about you today! I pray all is well.
Love,
Beth
I absolutely love this post. It brought tears to my eyes. I remember going to a neighborhood Bible class when I was about 8 years old. It is the first time I remember hearing about God. I have sensed him in my life ever since. I know he was there even before that. I have no idea what the lady's name was but, like you, I hope some day to thank her.
Blessings for a good week ahead.
Charlotte
Loved your sweet post ~ You know I can't really remember. I guess I learned about Him in Sunday school. I was dropped off for Sunday school. I was always interested in spiritual things though. Love you ~
Precious post. Thank you for sharing! Blessings.
Aloha, Lorie!!
Thank you so much for welcoming me to Spiritual Sundays. And, my goodness, you have such a beautiful blog! And, you write poetry, too. Wow! What a blessing!!
Thank you for instructing me how to follow people. My birthday is coming up soon. Perhaps I should ask for the book "Internet for Dummies". lol
Again, thank you so much! I appreciate it and you so much!!
Your Friend in Christ,
Georgia
I am sure that lady knows already how much she impacted your life. I could almost visulize you walking into church. I love the picture too! So cute.
What a beautiful memory Lorie! I pray that I have that kind of impact for Christ on the lives of others. Especially children.
Lorie, what a lovely post. I wish I could say it was one particular person, but it was more of a group of people at church camp.
Such precious memories for you to have.
It was Jesus speaking through her - she was the vessel . . .
I grew up in the church - so there wasn't a time I didn't know of Jesus or that He loved me. But it was years before I truly returned that love. But I remember the girl who implanted a desire for Him when I was 14 years old. She was 16 or 17, beautiful, sung with a travelling choir, and it was her life that spoke to me not her words. Her name was Cheryll. Never saw her after that summer but what an impact she had on me. She was the first one I met that actually lived a life that made me desire God. We prayed together and that was the first time I remember really praying for Jesus to be mine. I strayed in the years to follow - but I believe from the time I was born I was always in His hands - it was just a matter of time before I fully realized it.
But I thank Jesus for calling me to Him through her life. She was a faithful vessel that allowed Him to shine.
Rachel
I think she has already recieved your thanks as there is no doubt that she is watching you from heaven:).
Blessings,
Kim
Hi Lori,
I do remember the first person who really shared Jesus with me and that was when I excepted Him into my heart. My Husband and I walked away for a good long time and I'm very proud to say that we are on the right track again. I Praise God every day for my second chance and I'm so very thankful for his Mercy and Grace. Thank you for the Love that you shared with me, you have know idea how much you impacted me wanting to know God the same way that you love Him. Thanks for your prayers Lori. God Bless ya Kat
Beautiful story and its amazing the moments we remember when we were children, and its always of someone that touched us in some way those moments seem to stand out I can always remember those that were kind and smiled as they talked to me.Your gift of sharing is inspiring Thank You, Jonny
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