Yes I will be happy to do so

I attended a “cousins” family reunion this weekend. There were 11 children in my father’s family and only two are still living, (my father and his younger sister). My father is 88 years old, and as one might imagine that makes all of the first cousins on up in age. In fact at 62, I was about the youngest person at the reunion; most of the cousins are over seventy.

Growing up I seldom ever saw any of my extended family because they grew up around each other and remained there all of their lives and I moved far away from their home place and always lived some considerable distance away from them. Consequently I barely know most of them and I spent most of my time at this first cousin’s reunion that I have ever attended trying to get to know them.

As the reunion was winding down, one of the few cousins whom I knew fairly well came over to me and told me, “Bob, you realize that everyone here is waiting to hear you give your testimony don’t you?”

I knew that the Reader’s Digest article about me had been read by many of them, and I suppose that was the reason. I responded, “No I did not realize that.”

He said, “Well they are. Would you be willing to share your testimony with us today?”

Arghhh My 88 year old father is sitting over there with my 86 year old stepmother. All of my seventy-something year old cousins are sitting around the room. Hmmm My testimony is not for the faint hearted. My early years of alcoholism, drug addiction, immorality, unbridled violence, and incarceration are more suited for the rehab centers and other organizations that cater to those enslaved by similar maladies. I generally give my testimony to inspire hope to those lost tortured souls who have none. I tell them God can heal them and that no matter how badly someone’s life might be broken, God can fix it like He did mine. Looking around the room, my testimony just did not seem appropriate.

I’m thinking, “He wants me to get up in front of my family that I barely know and testify to all of this?” I told my cousin that I would do so and I did.

As expected when I was finished the looks on the faces around the room were primarily shock and dismay. I could see my stepmother with her head down, probably praying that I would not say more horrible things and mercifully end this nightmare. My wife was white as a sheet the entire time. My father had tears in his eyes. Many mouths were hanging open.

I have appeared on television, radio, had articles in various publications and spoken all over the country to large audiences and shared my testimony to thousands of people, but this was the most difficult thing that I have ever done in this regard.

I truly believe that God miraculously transformed my life and saved me from hell in order to demonstrate His awesome power and His willingness and to save lives in spite of one’s condition. When asked the question, “Would you be willing to share your testimony with us today?” As much as I would have liked to decline and avoid the embarrassment to my father, stepmother, my wife, my extended family, and me, I simply could not refuse. In a second I thought of Jesus and what He did for me on a cross and I told my cousin, “Sure, I will be happy to do it.”

I do not know God’s reason for presenting me with this opportunity. As far as I know all of the people in that room are solid citizens and love the Lord. Perhaps it was a test, I really do not know, but I assume God has His reasons. Whatever the reason I am glad that I did not refuse to offer my testimony in this difficult circumstance even though it was an embarrassing and humiliating thing to recount those early years.

One thing that crosses my mind is that one day I will give this life review in front of our Savior at the judgment. Imagine how embarrassing and humiliating it will be to face Jesus and have every sin revealed and out in the open. Thank God that He loves me and is sympathetic and He willingly gave His life and shed His precious blood to cover those sins which will blot them from memory forever

How about you? Have you told anyone how Christ miraculously saved you from your sins? If not, then today would be a great beginning for you. If I can do what I did, you can surely tell your story.

Matt. 10:32
Therefore whoever confesses
Me before men, him I will also
confess before My Father who is in
Heaven.