I remember that Monday morning I saw her, a 5th grade girl, dressed in mismatched tennis shoes, unique clothes, dark rimmed glasses and short curly hair. She made an impression from the beginning, and God began to impress upon me a burden for her lost soul. She would speak out of turn and make comments just to get a response, but she was listening and thinking. During one activity using Bibles, she thoughtfully asked, “Why are some words in red?”
I was really excited when she had indicated a desire to talk more about becoming a Christian. The next day I was able to pull her aside during the recreation time. We were able to sit under some shade and feel the breeze blowing, and I could feel God’s Spirit blowing all around our hearts. She told me about her 13-year-old brother, who is an atheist and doesn’t believe in God. When I asked her what she thought, she responded “I believe there is a God.” We talked about God’s love for us and the great division because of our sin. I explained about Christ’s sacrifice and his invitation to live forever with Him in heaven. Together we bowed our heads and she prayed, admitting her sin to God, believing in Jesus, and confessing her trust in Him.
She comes from a rough home life. I think about the tiny seed of faith and salvation thrown out into the rocky soil. I pray that she will continue to come back to church with her friend and grow as a new disciple of Christ. I trust God to hold on to her during the storms she may face ahead.
Years from now as we enter heaven, I will again recall those first impressions. I pray that she will then completely understand how her name is written in red because of his sacrifice.
Caroline Perez teaches Vacation Bible School at Southside Baptist Church, Florence, South Carolina.
