May 01, 2026
When I was 18 years old, I watched a Billy Graham Crusade on television and gave my heart to the Lord. It felt good. I felt good. Loved. Accepted. Unfortunately, I was in college, and I quickly forgot my commitment when I went back to school. God takes our vows seriously. Even when we don’t. It would be years before He reminded me I was indeed His child. The world makes lovely promises. It dangles temptation at every turn. It never gives the warm love I’d felt with God, but I figured it would. Eventually. For years I did life my way and it was a mess. I raised my children without church, and I experienced a broken marriage.
Until the day God came back for me. I’m so grateful He did. His presence enveloped me. Day and night. Finally, I fell to my knees and asked Him what He wanted. Me. He wanted me. He still called me His own in spite of my backsliding, broken promises and hard heart. This time it took. I surrendered again and repented for the years I wasted, the years I struggled to live in this world without holding God’s hand. I will never achieve all I could have if I’d been more integral. I’ll never write some of the books He asked me to write ad I’m afraid there are people who didn’t get Saved because they never read the words God wanted to say to them through my writing.
Be assured God will never forget once you give Him your heart. He will love you, protect you and He will walk beside you even when you’re so busy in the world you don’t even see Him there. His tender love does not judge or wound. People in the church can do that. But God never will. He is love. He is the exhorter we need, the power that saves, the light that brings enlightenment. I thank God daily for loving me straight into His comfort and joy.
Lord God, How can I ever be grateful enough for Your love? Never has anyone loved me like You do. I am sorry for time that was lost. I pray every person I failed to witness to was reached by another one of Your children. Help me convince Your family, these wonderful people who are called to walk with You, to respond wholeheartedly to Your courting, Your love and Your way of life.
God says, “At the right time I heard you. On the day of salvation I helped you.” Listen, now is God’s acceptable time! Now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2