Patience Over Preference
I accepted the Lord at the age of five on Halloween. Halloween is not known as a day that brings many people to Jesus, but I very clearly remember meeting Him that day. I was sitting all by myself on a pile of hay at a farm that was decorated with scarecrows, spiders, and spooky shadows. I had been attending Sunday school at my church since I was a baby, so, as I sat looking at the scary decorations, I didn’t have to try very hard to remember what my Sunday school teachers had taught us about what to do when we are scared - turn to Jesus.
If you’ve ever wondered how important it is to have your young children in church, I am here to bear witness to the power of children’s ministry. Even at that young age, my teacher’s words had been planted like seeds in me.
I simply told Jesus I knew He was stronger than all the scary stuff, and I wanted Him to be with me always. As adults, it may seem like that wasn’t enough of a prayer, but I knew beyond doubt that something big had changed for me.
Of course, my journey to adulthood challenged and stretched my faith in painful ways all too often, but He was with me always, just as I had asked.
I have lived this life of faith for 46 years now, and I have to admit - it’s hard. The Lord is nearly always prompting me to do the opposite of what I instinctively want to do. When I want to correct someone, He prompts me toward understanding them instead. When I want results, He prompts me toward patience. When I want to take a stand, He prompts me toward laying down my preferences.
But, He is with me.
