A Blast from the Past!
07/21/07 09:10 PM
This week, out of the blue, I got an email from an
old friend - Norman. We corresponded, exchanged
numbers, and made plans to talk this weekend. I've
known Norman since I was about 5 years old when he
rode his Big Wheel down to my house.
We lived down the street from each other. We
were the same age and became best friends.
Those were good times - walking to the
Elementary School together, building Forts in
the woods across the street from our house,
playing sports, spending the night at each
other's homes, and riding bikes all over James
Island.
When I gave my life to the Lord, the next day I made a list of everyone I needed to tell about Jesus. Norman was on the top of that list. When I got home from Camp Edisto I went down to his house, told him about Jesus and my experience, and he gave his life to the Lord and started going to church with me and C.W. and went to Camp Edisto as well. We drifted apart a little through High School. He had a very difficult family life.
I went away to college and got married. Norman made a series of very poor decisions and paid dearly for those mistakes. We talked once or twice during that time, but it's been a very long time since we last spoke. He did a Google search, found our church website, and sent me an email. It was so good hearing from him tonight! He sounded just the same. We talked about the "good old days" and caught up on the present. He lives up in the great Northeast. His life has turned around 180 degrees. He's married to a wonderful woman. He has 3 great kids. And they're all involved in their church.
Norman's story is one of God's amazing grace. We can always start over. There is always hope. Tonight he told me how during the difficult times he blamed everyone but himself for his problems. And it wasn't until he took responsibility for his own life that he made the turn around. Although he never forgets where he's been, that chapter is over. And now the rest of his life has become the best. Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God finishes what He starts. And God is never finished with us.
Talking to him tonight also reminds me that I need to do a better job of seeing all the "Normans" that God puts in my path. There are people all around who simply need a friend and need a friend to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus changes lives! Norman, if you read this - thanks for the call! It was great reconnecting! I look forward to talking again!
When I gave my life to the Lord, the next day I made a list of everyone I needed to tell about Jesus. Norman was on the top of that list. When I got home from Camp Edisto I went down to his house, told him about Jesus and my experience, and he gave his life to the Lord and started going to church with me and C.W. and went to Camp Edisto as well. We drifted apart a little through High School. He had a very difficult family life.
I went away to college and got married. Norman made a series of very poor decisions and paid dearly for those mistakes. We talked once or twice during that time, but it's been a very long time since we last spoke. He did a Google search, found our church website, and sent me an email. It was so good hearing from him tonight! He sounded just the same. We talked about the "good old days" and caught up on the present. He lives up in the great Northeast. His life has turned around 180 degrees. He's married to a wonderful woman. He has 3 great kids. And they're all involved in their church.
Norman's story is one of God's amazing grace. We can always start over. There is always hope. Tonight he told me how during the difficult times he blamed everyone but himself for his problems. And it wasn't until he took responsibility for his own life that he made the turn around. Although he never forgets where he's been, that chapter is over. And now the rest of his life has become the best. Philippians 1:6, "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." God finishes what He starts. And God is never finished with us.
Talking to him tonight also reminds me that I need to do a better job of seeing all the "Normans" that God puts in my path. There are people all around who simply need a friend and need a friend to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus changes lives! Norman, if you read this - thanks for the call! It was great reconnecting! I look forward to talking again!
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