one of Cilla's friends who lives in the United States of America
I was five years old when my mother spoke of Jesus to me and my brother. I said a little prayer, not really knowing anything much other than thinking Jesus was a nice man. It wasn't until years later, when I was eleven that I got saved.
My family went to church off and on during this time when I was growing up - both are born-again Christians. We went to an evening service where my church showed a movie about the end times. On our way home in the car, I thought about the time my mom had told me and my brother about Jesus, and I asked my dad if I was saved. My dad told me that only I could answer that question!
I was afraid...the movie had such a traumatic impact on me..seeing a girl getting beheaded for her beliefs!
In my bedroom that night, I frankly told God that I accepted Christ, and then went to go to sleep, but something inside told me that that wasn't enough, that I needed to repent of my sins. But what did I do? What were my sins? Me being called a sinner seemed so strange to me....I had to literally think...okay..what did I do wrong? I believed I was a sinner, on the basis of God's Word, but I had to try to remember things I had done wrong. A few minutes went by and then I remembered fighting with my brother, then another sin came to mind. After seeing that I had sinned, I prayed and told God that I was a sinner, asked His forgiveness, and that I received Jesus into my heart. I then asked Jesus to save me.
I knew then, after praying that prayer that if Jesus was to come back that night, that I would be taken along with my parents. I was very relieved.
A few minutes later, I prayed and thanked God for saving me...it was like praying to my Father..because He is, through Christ, my Heavenly Father. I looked out of my bedroom window that night, and looked at the stars, trees, and other things outside. They all seemed to witness of His glory. I also started to feel homesick...
Sometimes even now, I pray and ask God that He would go ahead and send Jesus for us...sometimes I hear bad news and it does make me cry - wishing and praying for Jesus to come back.
My husband and I pray that the Lord will come back for us Christians during our lifetimes - that none of our family will see death 'till He returns. My husband and children are saved, too.
I'm thankful for my salvation...I'm thankful for God's Word. I'm thankful for the little spiritual lessons the Lord teaches me from time to time through His Word and through nature itself - when I least expect it. I'm thankful for His love and mercy.