This is my story…
I still remember your faithfulness to me from way back when. I remember staying up late and talking to you on my bunk bed. I remember seeing your hand one time, or some part of you, and quickly informing my sister. I remember how it was very bright. I was not afraid. I was a child.
I remember that time I sat on the back porch and confessed you as my Savior. I remember how little I understood, but how happy I felt. I was only four.
I remember learning about you as I grew older and desiring to be close to you. I remember reading missionary biographies and longing to be like them- close to God.
I remember hearing about how you healed people. I was impressed.
I remember memorizing scriptures I hardly understood and sometimes crying during worship. I remember you. I remember your pursuit.
I remember picking up that one book at the Christian bookstore about miracles. I was amazed that you still performed miracles today. My hunger for you increased.
I remember listening to “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” sung by Bing Crosby, and weeping.
I remember sitting at the dinner table one night and hearing about what you were doing in different parts of the world. I was intrigued. The flame within me was growing. During this time, I remember devouring any book I could find that had to do with miracles and missionaries. I was so hungry for the God behind those miracles. He seemed so real. In return, I remember crying myself to sleep at night, because I was in awe of your greatness.
I remember meeting you in Europe at that coffee shop (Let’s have a date there again soon). I remember how, a few weeks later, I had my first crazy encounter with your presence. If people could die of happiness, I would have. You were so tangible in that moment. I remember the nights and days that followed that encounter. I would sit on my bed and talk to you out loud. Oftentimes, I would cry because I was so happy.
I remember sleeping in my clothes so that I could go and pray early in the morning. I loved it when no one was there, in the prayer room, and I could worship you as loud as I wanted.
I remember reading the Bible with that old man, before work, and loving it because I felt your delight for him. I remember crying when he died and smiling when I realized that he was with you.
I remember when I started to pray at night with others. I remember the encounters that we had. I remember the miracles, baptisms, and salvations. During this time you began to teach me more about love.
I remember when I began to travel. I remember the coming and the going. I remember longing to be home, but also having the time of my life. I remember when my heart began to come even more alive. I remember waving flags in church and preaching my very first little sermon. I remember how in every place that I traveled, you revealed yourself to people and at least one person was brought into the Kingdom in each place. I remember the excitement of seeing someone meet you for the first time.
I remember India. I remember how, during worship, that guys tumor dissipated. I remember the children. You enlarged my heart there. A few months later, I remember how I woke up to the song that you put in my head. I wrote music after that encounter.
I remember how, throughout the travels, you always provided for me. I was never in want.
I remember how you restored everything and healed my heart. Your timing was perfect. I remember the love and I remember the laughter. I remember the hurt, but there is no more pain. I remember the hospitality and the many dishes. I remember the moment that I realized all of those things, especially the love. My face was quickly planted on the dirty carpet after that realization. I couldn’t hold back the tears. I remember how shocked I was when that same scene repeated itself in Pennsylvania, because I kept getting wrecked by your love.
I remember the moment that I realized that you wanted to know me. I was relieved that it wasn’t one-sided. I was in awe of you. I remember playing the piano that you gave me. You care for me so well. I remember what you taught me that Summer and I remember what you asked of me right before I left. I said, “yes.”
I remember leaving Pennsylvania and arriving in Austin. I was excited about the surprise that awaited me at the airport. You are so kind to me. I remember packing my things and placing everything that I owned in my car. I remember the relationships that were formed before I left and the love that I experienced. I remember driving away. I remember the long car ride. There were some hot tears and much laughter. I remember driving in the crazy rainstorm- my first victory on this new adventure.
I remember the wilderness and I remember learning how to lean. I remember the tears and the longing. I remember when I finally felt like I belonged here. I remember the fulfillment of promises. I remember the big decisions that I made, one in particular with always stand out.
I remember the freedom and the joy. I remember YOU. As I look back, all I see is YOU. You have always been there. You are so constant. You are so loving. You have never let me down.
I remember sitting there, tears running down my face, as I remembered you and how you have always remembered me…
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