A Prize for Heaven
Author: Linda Tenney
One of “my two” came to know the Lord! What a prize for heaven.
It all started when a friend of my son’s came to stay at my home. He had no place to go after leaving a difficult situation and had recently been diagnosed with incurable, rapidly spreading cancer.
At first, I felt uneasy about providing a room for him, but after seeking the Lord in prayer, I knew it was the right thing to do. I also knew I needed to somehow get brave enough to witness to him.
After getting to know him better I learned he was Jewish and had a Catholic upbringing and was confused about God. We talked at length about his life in general. I tried to help him make sense of the confusion and loss he felt. We spent time talking about his beliefs. One day, despite my fear and a heart pounding with nerves, I explained who Christ is and shared about His love for him. He listened attentively and said he understood, but he wasn’t ready to make a decision.
As the days went on we would pray about all the things in his life and he would cry. Every day we prayed at our meals and he respectfully bowed his head and we continued to talk in casual conversation about his beliefs.
After four months, he left to be closer to his cancer treatments. He hadn’t made a profession of faith, but I kept praying for him and the many challenges he faced.
Then, just a week ago, I received a text from him. He told me that he had gone to a church near his residence, and they were talking about the same God we had talked about. He knew at that moment that he needed to accept Christ. He said “Mom” (he called me mom), “I have found what I have been looking for. I am at peace. I can now die.”
My heart is overflowing with gratitude. God prompted me to plant a seed, and He faithfully nurtured it, opening this young man’s eyes to His truth. Though his health is failing, he now knows where he will spend eternity.
I continue to pray for him and am so thankful that I stepped out in faith to share Christ’s love. God is so good!