A perspective from the pew.

It goes like this.....

One Saturday morning in September my Dad called to tell me a beautiful story of how he, through a series of events, was now choosing to follow Jesus and quit this whole religious game. For so long I watched him continually fill a church pew and nothing changed. I sat and listened to his decision, later cried to a dear friend of how faithful Jesus is.... but still, in much skepticism, days went on. Nights and days, hours and many tears had I shed over the salvation of my own father... could this really be it? Was this all really happening?

Wednesday night I sat in the passenger seat on the way home from the airport, homesick as hell, listening to my Dad quote John 15 and tell me all of how God has chose him, removed the veil, and how much forgiveness we have all because of Jesus. I sat there with big tears in my eyes looking out the window as though hoping he wouldn't notice my emotions. He continued on gospeling me as we drove down I-64. Let me say that again, He continued on gospeling me as we drove home.

Salvation is real. I know with every fiber of my being, when I ask with an unwavering faith, God responds. For days and night an army of people have prayed. For months a community of people have loved me and cared for me as though this was their own family we were all interceding for- and of that I count it a blessing.

I sit here and don't even know who the man I call my father is. He is different, he is a new creation as scripture tells me and we prayed so many days for. He is alive it is as clear as night verses day, I can see it in his eyes. The religious perspective from the church pew is over- there has been an awakening.

Why now, at the age of 56 does he get it? Why now at the age of 56 is salvation his? Why now at the age of 56 has God revealed himself?? I don't know- I don't understand. I do know full well that there is a God who is still alive and working. There is a God who is still changing lives and calling his creation back unto himself.

How overwhelmed am I, a sinner, to get to experience first hand the beautiful aftermath of gospel transformation.