This true story was written as a tribute to my Great-Uncle Paul,
who is now with the Lord Jesus.
The cool October breeze caused the leaves to dance
as they fell from the trees. It was a serene country setting
stirred from silence by the first cry of a newborn. A new life
began that would touch the lives of many others.
Paul was an average boy growing up in the foothills of the
Ozarks. He felt school was quite unnecessary, much to the dismay
of his older brother, Tom. Paul's history of becoming sidetracked
and not making the school bell caused his brother much dismay.
You see, he was in charge of seeing to it that Paul did make
it to school, less a few adventures, but on time. A sister later
joined the twosome who saw to it that any dull moments would
be endangered by her latest endeavors.
During Paul's boyhood years, he and his siblings stored up
memories they would later unfold to their children and grandchildren,
seasoned with laughter and tears. Life has its way of passing
so swiftly. The childhood discoveries are now misty memories,
which resurface upon the questioning sunlight of the next generation,
when they ask, "Tell me a story, Grandpa!"
The many varied paths of life, which lead to one of two destinations,
were laid before Paul. He chose the attractive road, well trodden
by seekers of adventure who had gone before him. Like his fellow
travelers, Paul was unaware of the pain those momentary pleasures
would later wield upon his life. It brought sorrow to the heart
of his brother's family, who had recently came to know the Lord.
Tom's family prayed earnestly that Paul would stray from his
path of spiritual desolation and accept Christ as his Savior.
Months and years passed and any hope of surrender seemed dim;
yet, they kept praying knowing that God would faithfully answer
one day. Even Paul's nieces and nephews joined in the concerted
effort and from quiet, lisping lips of children were heard petitions
that entered the throne room of God and loudly echoed within
the heart of Christ. They clung to the promises recorded in
God's Word, "…he heareth the prayer of the
righteous." Proverbs 15:29 "And
this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything
according to his will, he heareth us." 1
John 5:14
The seasons of life passed, and upon a life threatening diagnosis
Paul was forced into retrospect. Memories of joy, pain, happiness,
and hurt came flooding back. He had more to look back on than
to look forward to. His heart deeply ached within him, and sorrow
filled his soul. Although there were some joyous times, the
dark threads he had woven into the fabric of his life began
to haunt him and dim the sparkle of those golden threads of
happiness he had gathered on his journey.
During his last month upon this earth, he and his younger sister
met with a minister who shared with them the free gift of salvation
through Christ. Paul had heard of this before, yet the seeds
of truth had fallen on stony ground, and the adversary quickly
snatched them from his soul's grasp. Year's worth of prayer,
which the angels overheard, and touched the heart of Christ,
rained upon the spirit of Paul and softened a lifetime of spiritual
drought. He was at the Cross Road once again. Would he choose
the familiar, or reach out to someone who he had secretly longed
to deliver him? In that moment of decision, he chose to surrender
his heart to Christ. As he prayed, a lifetime of pain and emptiness
washed away through the cleansing power found only in the blood
of Christ. The flood of Jesus beautiful love filled every ache
of his heart. Angels stood by and demons trembled as this long
anticipated transformation took place. Years worth of prayer,
answered in a single petition of Paul.
He shared the news with his brother, and told him if he had
only known the peace he now felt, he would have prayed years
earlier. It wouldn't be long and God would call him home, but
before He did, Paul used every opportunity to witness Christ's
amazing love and forgiveness to all he met.
On a sultry summer's evening, Paul softly told his family of
his love for them, and spoke his last word, which was simply,
"Pray." That action of prayer, which had brought him
so much peace, was now carrying him to the veil between this
earthly life and the heavenly. As he closed his eyes for the
last time on earth and opened them again, he gazed upon the
sparkling river and streets of gold, which purely reflected
the light of the One standing before him-his Savior. As he fell
into Christ's arms he felt the embrace of the One he rejected
when he was young, yet the One who never rejected him. The One
he surrendered to, the One who saved Him. The embrace of The
Way, The Truth, and The Life holds Paul. He sees the fullness
of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Christ-the One
who Paul now realizes every one of his heart's desires is fulfilled
in. His life's journey, though fraught with detours, had finally
ended in the embrace of Jesus.
Dear reader, if you, like Paul, desire to
accept Christ as your Savior, we encourage you to do so today.
We extend to you this Special
Invitation.
Perhaps, you're a Christian, and you've been
praying for a friend or loved one to come to Christ. Be encouraged,
God is hearing your prayers! If you'd like for us to pray with
you, please feel free to send us your prayer request. You may
do so by visiting this
page. Remember, Christ promises us, "…whatsoever
ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may
be glorified in the Son. If ye ask anything in my name, I
will do it." John 14:12, 13
About the Author: To read
Emilee's bio, please click
here!
