Looking back, I know that my Heavenly Father knew me, had died for me and although I was only an eight-year old, He had chosen me. Though recollections of my childhood are sometimes sparse, one particular timeframe stands out...
I recall a very kind and loving neighbor whose name was Starr. She had two children of her own, yet would always make time for me. With parents that worked full-time, I was often home alone.
One particular day I was doing my chores and while peeling potatoes I took one clean swipe with the peeler and cut my finger pretty deeply. I tried everything to stop the bleeding but nothing helped. Finally I went over to Starr’s house and she pulled a leaf from her aloe vera plant and put it on my finger. Miraculously the bleeding ceased. She offered me milk and cookies, I think in part to comfort me in my distress.
I hung out for a while. Her house was always clean and tidy, even though there were children’s toys thrown about. The distinct smell of baking always touched my little nose as I entered there. It was a comfortable place for me.
That afternoon she asked me if I would like to go to Sunday School with her son Dennis. I wasn’t sure what it was about, but I asked my Mom and Dad. They never went to church, but had no qualms about it, knowing what kind people Starr and her family were.
SEEDS PLANTEDAlthough memories are few, I do recall feeling great about Jesus. I’d receive special rewards for doing bible memory verses. In my own little way, I came to know that He was good and it always left me feeling warm and loved. Little did I know, at that tender age, seeds were being planted in my heart.
I recall the day when my friend Starr moved away. It was a bit traumatic as I realized I would no longer be able to attend Sunday School. I had asked my Mom and Dad if they could take me but they said no.
SEEDS TAKING ROOTIt’s been over twenty-five years since those “Sunday School Days”, but I know in retrospect that the Lord of the Harvest was planting seeds in my heart through Starr. One particular morning I woke up and out of the blue she came to my mind. How I wished I could find her and tell her how much she had impacted my life.
I had some errands to run that day and needed to pick up something from the Christian bookstore in my old neighborhood. As I sat in my van and started to take my son out of his car seat I glanced out the window. I could NOT believe my eyes! Who did I see? Starr!! I opened up my window, and with a choked up throat, called out her name. She looked my way, but I wasn’t sure that after twenty-five years she would even recognize me. I was all ‘growed-up’.
But it was her! She walked over (rather hopped over—as was her joyous long-remembered gait) toward the van as I jumped out. I was
SO excited; tears were streaming down my face. I could hardly slow down my words. Indeed she had recognized me and I surrendered into her hopping giant bear hug! We cried tears of joy together.
After we gathered ourselves I asked her what she was doing there. She told me she was in the old neighborhood putting together a clothes drive for the homeless, and then asked why I was there. I pointed to the book store. When she put two and two together she threw her arms around me again and said, “Praise the Lord!! My prayers were answered! I have prayed for you for years and have always wondered what happened to you and your family once we moved away.”
I briefly shared my testimony and told her how the Lord had worked in my life over the years and how
on that very day out of the blue the Lord had laid her on my heart
out of the blue. How I had longed to find her somehow so that I could thank her for being so faithful to share a loving God with a little child. How He had used her, unbeknownst to me at the time, to plant seeds in my heart.
As I drove away from that parking lot I noticed an even happier “hop” in her step and thanked the Lord for directing my path that day. I rejoiced in knowing that I had just caught a glimpse into the heart of my Sovereign God.
He had foreordained this moment, this day, simply just to bless His children.When He laid the foundations of the world, He knew me even then. How, when He laid the foundations of the world, He would place me and my family beside a godly woman of prayer. How, when He laid the foundations of the world He would lead us both to the same parking lot just to give us a glimpse of His love. Yes, He knew me then... Thank You Abba Father!
