When I think about my childhood, I vividly remember having to compete against the "brown bottle." Both my Mom and Dad were drinkers. There was always a party going on somewhere. In our small town of 800 people, it seemed as if drinking was all there was to do.
I can remember my mom and dad fighting, and sometimes it would be quite scary for a little kid to listen to. As I got older I got used to it. I used to wonder: "Why do they love this brown bottle so much when it brings so much misery? Why don't they love me? Is this all my fault? Maybe I'm not a good enough daughter?" (Thankfully it's been over 30 years since then that my parents have quit drinking).
When I was 16 years old, a family moved into our town, and I started hanging out with them. When I went to their home, I noticed that no-one ever fought. They treated each other with respect, and they were always humming to themselves or singing out loud!
It was so strange being with people who didn't swear or drink. They had no desire to-and yet they seemed so satisfied! They were always good to me and really loved each other and me.
One day, I went with them to Yorkton to watch a movie. At the end of it, Billy Graham appeared on the screen inviting people to come to the front of the theatre to accept Jesus. I wanted what my friends had, so I went forward.
A kind lady showed me the verse: John 3:16. She then put my name into the verse: "For God so loved Becky that He gave His only begotten Son that if Becky believes in Him, Becky will not perish but have everlasting life."
This really spoke to me! I found it amazing that God would love me-I didn't think I was worth anything.
I prayed the prayer that night, but my life didn't really change that much. I moved to the big city for post-secondary education, and still continued in my sinful ways. But one thing had changed-I knew God loved me.
Even when I came home from a night of drinking, I would always pray the same prayer, asking God to send me another family like the one I had met back in my hometown.
One day, I found a whole bunch of posters at my apartment building. I picked one up. It had John 3:16 written on it! I got very excited because I remembered this verse was the same one that lady in the movie theater had shown me.
I immediately phoned the name on the back of the poster. That was how I met the Ronald family and ended up going to church with them.
Not too long after that, I remember walking into my living room and thinking about how good my life was going again. But then this thought came into my mind: What about all the bad things that I had done? Right away, I fell to my knees and asked God to forgive me for every sin that I could remember. But then I really got worried because I thought-oh no!-what about the sins that I can't remember? At that very moment, I realized that I was a sinner, and I called on the Lord to save me and come into my life. I can remember telling Him to take my life-I didn't want to live like that any more. I knew that Jesus died for my sins. At that moment, everything changed! That night my friends called me to go to the bar and I said, "No thanks!" I had never done that before.
Little by little, I noticed that I wasn't interested in my old ways but that I wanted to please God-read my Bible, go to church and live right. The Spirit of God now living inside of me gave me power to live differently (2 Corinthians 5:17).
You may ask why I didn't get saved (become a Christian) when I prayed that prayer in the movie theatre. I wasn't willing back then to admit my guilt. I wasn't willing to go God's way. But I wanted His blessings! Thank goodness He didn't give up on me.
Jesus has become my best Friend. He will never lie to me, use me, or abuse me. He keeps all of His promises and He shows me the good path to walk. He has made me new and has given me new desires!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Time is short. Eternity is forever. I encourage you to seek the Lord while you can.
Becky Kew shares Good News at Sandy Bay
First Nation, Manitoba, Canada. BeckyKew@outlook.com
