My Life's Direction Changed

A friend's invitation to Sunday school became the beginning of a young girl's lifetime of blessings.

By Phyllis Barrett

Many people testify about having a Christian heritage, godly parents, grandparents, and even great-grand­parents. I did not have those blessings, but when I was very young, a girlfriend invited me to go to Sunday school with her. The people there told me that Jesus loved me. They showed me with their words and ac­tions that Jesus cared. Everyone—the Sunday school bus drivers, the teachers, the pastor—let me know they wanted God's best for me and my family.

I was a very unhappy young girl. There was trouble and upheaval in our family. My father was an alcoholic. His drinking eventually cost him a good job, and my mother had to go to work to support us. In my teen years, these difficult circumstances made me realize that I could not handle life alone, and I knew I wanted Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.

When I told the Lord I was sorry for my sins, and asked Him to take charge of my life, He saved me and gave me such a love for Him and for people I had hated. To me, that love was the big miracle.

I wanted this salvation and love for my whole family. I told my mother that this was what she needed. I wanted her with me in Heaven someday. Because of my insistence, and also the difficulties in her own life, she began coming to Sunday school with my brothers and me. She prayed and was saved, and we started making church a part of our family life. In the years since, each of my brothers has given his life to the Lord also.

The summer after I graduated from high school, our pastor in San Francisco invited me to attend the camp meeting in Portland, Oregon. I was thrilled to be on the beautiful campground and see hundreds of happy people of all ages fellowshiping and worshiping God together. I'd never seen anything like it. The unity among them was another proof to me of the reality of the Gospel.

It was during this first camp meeting that I met the young man who became my husband. He was a Christian too, and we were married some time later. We had three children, and as they were growing up, we tried to teach them the importance of God's Word, prayer, and love for others.

So often, during our children's growing up years, the devil tried to discourage me. But I found that when I prayed and held on to God's promises, He was able to carry me through.

When our children reached their teens, they chose not to follow the Gospel way, and I had such a hard time putting them into God's hands and leaving them there. I would ask the Lord to help me in dealing with them and would try to leave the burden with Him. But then when I was through praying, without realizing it, I would continue doing what I thought was best.

One time when I went to get our daughter, I was troubled about what she was wearing. All I could think about was what someone else might think. God let me know that in this case I was not to be concerned with what someone else thought; the welfare of our unsaved daughter was what was most important.

Another time she called me to pick her up from school. The circumstances distressed me so that I did not know how I would deal with the situation. I had just backed the car out of the driveway and started for the school when God spoke to me. In a very real voice He said, “Let Me be your strength!” I started to cry, and a sweet peace came over me. Now, I cannot even remember what the circumstances were which caused our daughter to call me. But I do remember the lesson the Lord taught me that day. I was trying in my own way to do what I had asked God to do, and I was not letting Him have His way.

The years passed, and I have tried to learn to do things the Lord's way. Our children are all gone from home now and have families of their own. We have had the privilege of praying with each of them since they have become adults. What changes salvation has made in their lives! They can point back to the truths of the Gospel that they have learned, and when difficulties arise in their own families, they know they can trust the Lord.

On one of our wedding anniversaries, our daughter gave us a card on which she had written, “Thank you for staying together for so long and teaching me that determination to make it work, respect for each other, and love for God's Word can make any marriage last.” What a wonderful message for parents to receive from their child!

All because a young girl invited me to Sunday school, my husband and I were able to start a Christian heritage for our children. Now we see our grandchildren coming to Sunday school and learning about Jesus.

For a number of years I have had the privilege of participating in the Sunday school work of our church. Sometimes as I look at those little faces, I am reminded of the great effect Sunday school had on my family. Who knows what changes the love of Jesus might bring into the homes of these little ones! I don't like to think of what kind of person I might be if someone hadn't told me of Jesus' love! How thankful I am for that invitation to Sunday school!

Phyllis Barrett served on the Apostolic Faith headquarters editorial staff until she went to be with the Lord in May, 2006.