eighteen years ago today...

...I met the Prince of Peace, Jesus. I'm revisiting this post on my spiritual birthday.

There once was a little girl who had a good life. She had a warm safe home, loving parents, food a plenty, trinkets and toys to occupy her days, and lovely clothes to wear. All her needs were fully and completely satisfied, but there was something amiss in her life, a void which could not be filled.

So, as the little girl grew in stature she began to try and fill that empty hole with all the enticements and foolery that the world had to offer. These vain attempts to satisfy an unexplainable yearning in her heart only proved to create greater turmoil and strife. Fear became her friend and constant companion.

The now young lady felt very lonely and began looking for love. The problem was that she looked in the most inappropriate places. No matter how hard she tried, all the cravings and desires of her soul could not be satisfied. Instead, more pain and emptiness was heaped upon her depraved heart. She yearned for approval and lost herself in pleasing others. She was completely lost.

While utterly alone and devastated by all the trappings of the world and people therein, she met a nice man who seemed different from all the others. He exuded love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, qualities that she desperately wanted to acquire, but thus far had been elusive.The nice man so generously taught her about the One through whom these things could be found…to be found…oh how she longed to be found!

As a grown woman, one who had shared the company of many a book, she picked up a new Book…the Book which was spoken of when she married the nice man who was full of the fruit she wanted to taste. She cried out to the Author of the Book, “If You are real, show me.” Her eyes fell onto a page which read. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Suddenly, her cheeks were wet and her heart was flooded with hope she had never felt before. Her life was soon filled with joy unspeakable. The Prince of Peace, named Jesus, filled her new heart and the barren places of her soul. Fallow ground was broken and like a seed planted in fertile soil, faith sprung up along with the other sweet fruits of the precious Spirit. Fear was cast down and instead of pleasing people, she began to please Him who died in her place.

And so the story continues. It is being lived out by me, Angie. This restored life perseveres, growing in grace and nurturing a new generation of children who God so generously bestowed in our care. Praise God from whom all blessings flow!