My grandfather, Elder F. L. Ray, was a missionary Baptist preacher, and I would go to my grandparent’s house for a week in the summer. It was always during revival time. I would hate it, because I knew we would have to go to church every night. But, we would stop and get ice-cream at the Dairy Queen after church, and that always made me and my cousins happy.
I remember one day at church my daddy, leaned down and said “don’t you want to go to heaven”. Conviction came into my heart at that moment. I was around the age of 8 or so, and I went to the altar many times.
One summer my grandfather and Elder Kenneth Massey was preaching in a revival at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, and they gave an altar call. I went running to the altar. I wanted salvation more than anything; I wasn’t leaving church that day until God saved me. He saved me that day, at the age of 11. I remember looking up at Ma Maw, and saying “he just saved me!”. I don’t know the date or the day of the week; but I know God saved me, it was a GREAT day and it can never be taken from me. It is my ticket to heaven. I didn’t accept God, he accepted me that day on the altar. I became a child of God. He is my All and All, my everything. God is merciful, long-suffering and forgiving.
I am so thankful he forgave me of my sins. The least I can do for my savior is share my testimony and tell people everywhere I go.
My prayer is for you, if you don’t know God in your heart. I pray conviction for you and that God will draw you to Him and save you, this is REAL. I am so thankful that I know where I’m going when I leave this world. Someday I will be in Heaven where many of my loved ones have gone. What peace that knowledge brings to our life in a world that is full of terrible things. Our God is an awesome GOD! I am so thankful I know that I know I’m saved and that you too can know.
I’m thankful for that ice cream and a week in the summer with my grandparents. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. The older I get the more thankful I am for my heritage. Thank you Lord!
God bless
Sherri Hoy
From: http://elderrickoliver.com/wp-rick/?p=160
