My mother and grandparents, had a strong belief in our Creator God.
Yet as a child, I didn't fully comprehend, what they were on about.
I was sent to Sunday School, where I was taught much on Bible Stories, learned wonderful songs/hymns and how to recite scripture verses. However, this was all taught to my mind.
At the time, it didn't sink into my heart.
That was to say, not until in my late teens when I entered nursing. At this time I had a close friend, Yvonne, brought up by Salvation Army Officer parents. We both entered the same hospital, as well as doing everything else together. One evening Yvonne took me with her to a church rally. It was during the service that an alter call came, asking for people to give their lives to Christ. I broke down, I cried and cried as the congregation sang, "Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come."
I vividly remember walking down that long aisle to kneel at the alter, and give my life to Christ.
Yet, my memory actually goes back before this, to a day when I heard a booming voice from the sky, call my name.
Nine years old and home alone on our small farm, I was out in the feed shed.
No radio or television was going and there was no one close by.
Yet my name was called so loudly, I ran outside and looked up.
I knew at that moment, God knew all about me.
Over the years I have had, numerous unexplainable experiences.
Another which stands strongly, was experienced following a difficult birth of my last child.
I was kept in hospital longer than normal, due to a thrombosis (blood clot) in my upper leg.
I also went into kidney failure which presented with swelling to my body and face.
Finally home again I felt very tired and extremely ill.
I felt alone because my then husband, was not a man who considered he should help.
One night, he went to play tennis. The baby lay in his crib at the side of the bed, and my other three children watched television.
I was weak and helpless. Laying back on the pillows I closed my eyes and prayed for Jesus to come and stand beside my bed.
Feeling a presence, and thinking it was one of the children, I opened my eyes.
Standing looking down at me was a tall man.
His white almost transparent robe covered his head. He held a Sheppard crook in His hand.
I couldn't see his face as it was shrouded in shadow.
As I stared transfixed, he walk towards the bedroom door and out into the well lit hallway.
Suddenly I remembered my prayer.
Yes! Jesus fulfilled my request, and came to me.
He came as a Sheppard who cares for his sheep.
