Good and bad will pull at you, but when God wants you to do something HE will get your attention!

One night a few days back my sister and I spoke on the phone as we usually do when I remembered a very significant time in my life – 2005. The week of June 18th, 2005 to be exact. God gave a message to a complete stranger to confirm what He had already put on my heart to do!

A few years before, my sister joined a church that I periodically attended. After a couple of years, she decided to get baptized in the summer of 2003. After witnessing how God worked in her life, several family members decided to get baptized: Our Dad, brother, myself, as well as I decided to dedicate my son to God. We started our six week Bible study to prepare for baptism at the end of April or early May. Our pastor wanted to ensure we understood fundamental things in the Bible and that life wouldn’t magically get easier. God will allow us to be tested.

We finished our six week Bible study and looked forward to my son’s dedication to God on June 18th, 2005.  Then my dad, brother, and I would be baptized the following Sabbath. A week before my son’s dedication, my husband said lets find our own church. We can go to a few churches, see which one feels right for us, and then get our son dedicated. I was completely shocked! This was coming from my husband who believes in God but doesn’t practice his religion. He never attended church as an adult.  He always declined my offer to go with me because I worship on Saturday. I told him “NO, I’m not going to cancel our son’s dedication! I feel like this is what God wants me to do.”  Everyday that week before the dedication my husband asked me “Are you sure? We can find another church if you just wait.” He even called me at work saying he felt like I was “just doing what I wanted to do and didn’t care what he wanted for our son.”

At this point I felt torn between obeying God’s words to me and my husband’s words to me. I wanted my husband to feel what I felt: that the dedication of our six year old son to God would become the best thing we as parents can do for our child. When I left work that day, I felt overwhelmed and drained.  I found myself fighting a battle, but I felt unequipped to fight!

On my way home my best friend Crystal called and asked me if I could take her by her church and drop her home. When we arrived at her church, Crystal’s aunt was in the parking lot with a friend of hers. We said hi and spoke for a moment before we went inside to printout some papers. On our way out, the lady with Crystal’s aunt stopped me.  She said she felt afraid to tell me when I first arrived, but she knew she couldn’t let me leave without speaking what God put on her heart to say.  she said, “Whatever you are planning to do, do it.” She didn’t know what but whatever it was God wanted me to follow through. “Don’t let anyone change your decision.” I stood there absolutely shocked! She went on to say “don’t worry about fitting in or if people who may not even know you don’t like you. Their evil spirit makes it impossible for them to like you.”

My flesh felt confused like how would this person know such a thing. Then instantly I felt overcome with love and amazement! God would use a complete stranger to get my attention. He instantly confirmed what He already put on my heart to help me from wavering from the path He designed for my son. I couldn’t help but to cry with joy. The lady gave me such a comforting hug. When I told her what I was struggling with, she was in awe! Our faith grew even stronger that day!

When I got home I spoke with my husband and told him what happened. I couldn’t perceive for sure if he completely believed me, but he didn’t question our son’s dedication anymore. That Saturday, June 18th, 2005 we woke up and went to the church as a family. We stood before God giving Him charge over our son’s life and asking for His guidance and protection each and every day.

Looking back over this experience, I realize how blessed I am. That God would get my attention in the midst of all the chaos! Letting me know that what’s on my heart came from HIM! Thank you, thank you, thank you heavenly Father for your love!