Today, August 15, 2021, I had the privilege to share this story with First Baptist of Climate Springs, MO. Rayburn spoke on Mark 8 and then after the message, I sang, “People Need the Lord.” It was the meeting of Judy and later hearing this song, that changed forever the impact, of this song, on my heart. Almost three years have passed since I had the opportunity to share Jesus with Judy. Never for our paths to cross again, but I pray that she thought about our meeting and realized her personal need for Jesus. Below is what I wrote three years ago.
The paths of our lives crossed on this day. We had an appointment, a God-ordained appointment!
I was so hesitant to go with Rayburn as he ran and I walked. The reason for my hesitancy was simply the unknown. Would I be walking alone? I had made my mind up to stay in the comfort of our resort. Just me, myself, and I! But God’s prodding, nudging me, you know that whisper that HE GIVES. With that, I chose to go.
At the coastline where Rayburn wanted to run, well, let me say, we were not alone!!!! A multitude of people just happened to be there; walking, running and biking.
As I passed people, I smiled, good mornings were exchanged, but there was one lady just standing. I spoke as I went by. I went as far as I wanted to go, turned around, and started taking pictures of the coastline. The waves were breaking and sitting there among the rocks, all alone was the lady I had passed earlier. The above picture is the one I took of her. As I walked past, the Holy Spirit simply said to go tell her about me. No arguing, I turned around and walked into her world.
I spoke to her and mentioned that we had exchanged good mornings on the walkway. She was gracious and invited me into her “home.” Her home among the rocks. I sat, and she offered me a small blanket to cushion the rock. We chatted and she began to give me a glimpse into her world. She was homeless, her possessions laid at her feet. I held her hand as she cried and shared her devastating losses. She was an older woman, 74 years old. The years of hard living were engraved deeply in the lines of her face.
By this time, I knew her name, Judy. As I looked at her, I simply asked her if she knew Jesus as her Savior. She responded that she knew Jesus before she was born. Her mother was Catholic. I smiled and shared my story. I asked Jesus to be my Savior when I was eight. I realize that I was a sinner and needed Jesus. She responded that in no way were you a sinner at eight years old. I responded by telling her yes I was. I stole some marbles. And she began to laugh at the fact of an eight-year-old little girl stealing marbles and needing Jesus. I told her that Jesus loved her, died for her, and victoriously rose from the grave. She was gracious but said her mom being a Catholic was enough for her. I held her hand one last time, pleading with her to remember our conversation, and with that, I walked out of her “home.”
I wept for her. I wept that unless she saw her need for Jesus, one day her home for all eternity would be hell. As I laid in the comfort of my bed, I wept wondering where would she lay her head to sleep. I prayed that she would ponder our conversation. I prayed that somehow I had left an imprint on her heart because I knew she had left one on mine.
As I was falling off to sleep, the song “People Need the Lord” was playing. My thoughts turned to the people that Judy represented, and the tears flowed.
