A Story of Grace

I found myself at a very unfortunate place spiritually. My heart was hard, cold, and empty. I wasn’t sure I wanted anything to do with God. I wasn’t sure I wanted to do what obviously had to be done to get better—pour myself out at the feet of God. I knew if something didn’t happen soon. . . something bad was going to happen.

About this time God brought a very special friend into my life. Her name shall remain unmentioned. This friend loves God with all of her being, she loves serving Him, she knows that He loves her and wants only the best for her. This I learned by simply watching. We never talked much about such things, I suppose we didn't have to. It was so very evident. Her life caused me to hunger for something better, for something more. Finally, I was willing to pray, “God, help me love you the way ______ does.”

For a while it was getting better. Then I found myself right back where I started. Cold. Hard. Empty. I asked this friend of mine to pray for me. I told her I really needed it. Even though she didn't' know what was going on she began to pray for me.

Finally, I was tired of hiding. I decided I must be very honest with someone. I emailed my friend. I knew that no matter what I said, she wouldn’t look down on me. I didn’t have to hold any of the ugliness back. So I didn’t. I let it all out. Deep down, I didn’t want to tell her how I was feeling towards God. I didn’t want to tell her some of the issues I was facing. It was ugly and who wants to show someone else how ugly they are inside. But I did it anyway. She never responded to that email. But I knew she was praying and I knew that she was cheering for me.

God began to work on my heart. I began to read my Bible again. I began to pray again. And slowly, my heart began to change. Places in my heart were becoming strangely warm. It was like the sun coming up over a cold, dark valley. The rays slowly warming even the most hidden parts. Gradually the issues I had been dealing with disappeared.

Now I can say with a grateful heart, I am healed! I am free! I am so very alive again. My heart once hard, cold, and empty, is now soft, warm, and wonderfully filled.

I am so thankful for God, who, in His grace, sent me a friend, who caused me to hunger. I am so thankful that God loved me enough to pursue me, to not let me go so easily. That He did not give up on me even when I so deserved it. I am so thankful for this friend, who was not afraid of my ugly heart, who prays for me, and cheers for me.

This is my story of grace, what is yours??