Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: CHILDHOOD (03/09/17)
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TITLE: The Tree | Previous Challenge Entry
By Gerald Shuler
03/16/17 -
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It had only been a few weeks since, at the tender age of eight, I had been called forward in our small church to give my life to Jesus. Finally, I was saved. As a child, that was easy to accept. I had been taught by my mother, so I knew the need to be saved was true. I found myself wondering, though, if God really cared that a little child like me had come to Him. Doubt set in tearing me to pieces. So I did the only thing I knew to do. I went to my mother.
“Mom, do you think I am really saved?” I asked.
“Of course you are, dear. Why would you ask such a thing?”
“I don't feel no different than before. I mean, I don't feel holy or nothin'”
“How should 'Holy' feel, Billy?”
“Well, I reckoned I'd feel more like Moses, ready to do miracles and all. I'm still just me. So...”
“I see. So you want God to just come down and talk to you. Sorry, Billy, it isn't that way. You are still very young. Someday you'll understand.”
“But what do I do now? I just wanna know.”
“I can tell you this: In God's own time and in His own way, He will let you know He loves you. I don't have any other answer. Just trust God, He will let you know.”
That was all the advice my mother gave me about that particular topic. I remember weeks passed and my doubts and fears didn't diminish even a little bit. I read my bible, and prayed, in my own child-like way, for God to show me if I was really saved. Often, I sheltered myself in the solitude of my tree, watching clouds float overhead and listening to birds sing as branches gently rocked me into restful slumber. Finally, I had reasoned as far as my simple mind could stand. I went to Mom again.
“Mom,” I tried to sound grown up for what I saw to be a grown up conversation. “Mom, I think maybe I'm not really saved after all. I still don't feel any holier and I sure haven't heard from God.”
“Billy, those are serious words. Why are you...”
“Just until God says I'm ready. I've got to know He really wants, you know... me.”
There, I had said it. Nearly in tears, I ran from the house, eager to climb into the secure refuge of my tree. Turning the corner of the house I stopped dead in my tracks. There was my tree. But not like I had ever seen it. Glowing like the sun itself, the branches that usually held me, now held...
Angels.
A multitude of Angels.
Every one of them were singing like heaven's choir would be expected to sing. What they sang, though, oh, what they sang!
“Billy, Billy, Billy. You are loved with a perfect love. You are loved by Love Himself.”
Now, from my retirement home window, I can still hear their song. Since that day I have had no doubts about my salvation. But, if you have ever wondered about the reality of your own salvation, remember this: in God's own time, and in His own way, He will let you know. God really does want you to know. He loves you.
(Yes... this is a true story from my childhood, not exaggerated.)
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