True, blessing story: When I was growing up, we had a oil picture of Christ in our den. It was given to my grandparents, Richard Daniel and Evelyn Echols, by Providence Baptist Church in Sandy Springs for having the most children to join the church (6 daughters). Papa and Mama actually had 11 children, but 5 of them died early in their young lives due to diseases that we have inoculations for today. Yet, their faith never faltered. As a very little girl, I would often look at the picture. One day my mother took me into her arms and lap and explained to me who the Kind Man in the picture was. I was probably around 3 years of age. She quietly explained that as long as I loved Him with all of my heart and He lived in my heart, I never had anything to fear. I would sit and talk to the Kind Man in the picture daily. I showed Him my dolls. I showed Him my new, red plastic baseball bat. I touched the picture with my little hands. My precious mother would sing hymns to me and rock me to sleep. Those songs and Bible stories she told me helped me to know more about the Kind Man in the picture. One horrible, cold, February day almost 3 years later, my father suffered a heart attack. He almost died. I remember crying myself to sleep at night and hearing my mother praying to God asking Him to please restore her husband and protect our family. One night the Kind Man in the picture, my Jesus, comforted my little heart and mind in a way that nobody in the whole, wide world could do. He held me. He loved me. I told Him that I would always love Him no matter what happened. My daddy came home from the hospital. 5 years later in a sweet, Sunday service, Dr. Arvie Thornton, gave an invitation. I walked down that aisle letting the world know that Jesus Christ was and still is my dearest Friend, my Savior, the LORD of my life, my Great Comforter, and the list is endless. My grandparents went to Heaven prior to my birth. However, the faith and the legacy that they established has helped in ways words cannot describe. We never know what kind of an impact we might have on another person. We never know who our words or actions will influence. Words of encouragement, dear ones--the Kind Man in the picture is alive and well. He is not just any man, but the SON of Man. And yes, we have a picture of the Kind Man in our bedroom. It is the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see at night. May you be blessed and comforted knowing that our Christ, our SAVIOR loves you.
Posted on: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 20:17:14 +0000