My Amazing Grace Journey…

 
The Hand of God is upon me!  My sinner Step dad said there is no God.  My sinner Mother taught me a table blessing and a bedtime prayer.  She had 8 by 10 cardboard pictures with Bible verses on them hung in our house.  As a 6 year old I read them everyday.

 God sent friends into my life that attended church. I was awakened to the Love of Jesus when I was 7 years old and attended the largest Baptist Church in my hometown with a girlfriend.    A girl my age took up the penny I gave and handed out leaflets for the Sunday School.  Every time I looked at her, she smiled a big smile. When she finished, she took a seat by me.  When I looked at her there was that big, welcome smile.  When I got home that day, I determined in my heart that I wanted to be a member of God's Family!  

 At 12, I wanted to be married to God and be a Missionary!  I had no one to guide me in my search.  On July 8, 1948 my Mother and I went to a tent revival.   As Mother went forward to accept Christ, I followed her.  It was the best decision of my life!  I fell madly in love with this Jesus and I married Him that day.      

 I had never read a Bible, so I started.  It was too difficult for me to read.  I closed it one day and just thanked God for all He had done for me.   I heard a voice within me say, “I am your First Love” !   I spoke out loud to it and said, “ Yes, you are the first man that ever touched my heart”.  Years later I heard an evangelist preach on First Love.   I was amazed God had told me that before I ever heard of it! 
This Journey has been an Amazing Grace for me and I love my God more today than ever.  There were times I know I hurt  God's heart, but like David in the Bible, I repented immediately.  God has forgiven me of all my sins and is Faithful to walk with me all the way. I am never alone!  I have always known God loves me!

A.J. Ferree