4am Sunday morning July 1966 as dawn was breaking I woke up to find myself surrounded by what I can only call a thick mist. Unaware of what was happening I was naturally afraid. I found my self calling on God,which was a surprise to me as I never really believed on Him, I knew who He was but that was as far as it went. I began saying The Lords Prayer but as I was half way through strange words came out of my mouth, I was so afraid, not knowing about speaking in tongues I thought something bad was happening to me. Hidding under the bed covers I drifted back off to sleep.
At 4.30am the same occurrence took place and again I called out to God only this time I was saying Psalm 23, which was an even bigger surprise as I didnt know that I knew it. Again strange words came out of my mouth and the thick mist was more dense than before, it seemed as if I was trapped inside and I thought there was no escape, I quickly jumped out of bed and ran into the living room were I stayed motionless for hours just watching the cattle on the meadows as they rose in the morning sunlight.
I had recently met a christian woman who lived in the flat below and when I knew she would be up out of her bed I went to tell her of my experience. Her name is Justine. I asked her to come and bless my home with her prayers, well I never really asked her I more of demanded that she come. Justine such a gracious and humble person smiled at me and tried to convince me that she thought there was no reason to be afraid. She began talking to me of the love of God, which she had many times before, but as usual I did not want to listen. I was at this point quite hysterical and was yelling at her to come pray, Justine agreed to come.
A special prayer was said for each room and then we went to the bedroom were on entering the hairs on my arms and kneck stood up and I felt a warm sensation go through my body. I looked at Justine who was smiling at me and again she told me not to be afraid, well that was enough for me I began yelling and shouting Pray, you pray for me and my home, to which Justine continued to do.
The following week my life changed in a great way, I had stopped drinking without even noticing and all different thoughts were going through my mind.I remembered the conversation Justine and I had had 6months previous, of how she had told me that she thought I would come to Jesus one day,. I recall my reply as, dont be silly Justine I have managed all these years what do I need God for at 41yrs of age, she told me that she would continue to pray for me , I was laughing at her and she just said, Paula I am praying for you. We often look back together on that day and if truth be known have a good old giggle about it.
I was about to find out not what I wanted with God but what HE wanted with me.
By the end of the week I had a strong desire to go to church and I realised that that God was in my life. I cant actually say that I gave my life to Him as He just seemed to appear from nowhere, I suppose a bit like Saul.
One thing I can say is that I shall never forget My First Encounter With Jesus.
"PRAISE GOD"
At 4.30am the same occurrence took place and again I called out to God only this time I was saying Psalm 23, which was an even bigger surprise as I didnt know that I knew it. Again strange words came out of my mouth and the thick mist was more dense than before, it seemed as if I was trapped inside and I thought there was no escape, I quickly jumped out of bed and ran into the living room were I stayed motionless for hours just watching the cattle on the meadows as they rose in the morning sunlight.
I had recently met a christian woman who lived in the flat below and when I knew she would be up out of her bed I went to tell her of my experience. Her name is Justine. I asked her to come and bless my home with her prayers, well I never really asked her I more of demanded that she come. Justine such a gracious and humble person smiled at me and tried to convince me that she thought there was no reason to be afraid. She began talking to me of the love of God, which she had many times before, but as usual I did not want to listen. I was at this point quite hysterical and was yelling at her to come pray, Justine agreed to come.
A special prayer was said for each room and then we went to the bedroom were on entering the hairs on my arms and kneck stood up and I felt a warm sensation go through my body. I looked at Justine who was smiling at me and again she told me not to be afraid, well that was enough for me I began yelling and shouting Pray, you pray for me and my home, to which Justine continued to do.
The following week my life changed in a great way, I had stopped drinking without even noticing and all different thoughts were going through my mind.I remembered the conversation Justine and I had had 6months previous, of how she had told me that she thought I would come to Jesus one day,. I recall my reply as, dont be silly Justine I have managed all these years what do I need God for at 41yrs of age, she told me that she would continue to pray for me , I was laughing at her and she just said, Paula I am praying for you. We often look back together on that day and if truth be known have a good old giggle about it.
I was about to find out not what I wanted with God but what HE wanted with me.
By the end of the week I had a strong desire to go to church and I realised that that God was in my life. I cant actually say that I gave my life to Him as He just seemed to appear from nowhere, I suppose a bit like Saul.
One thing I can say is that I shall never forget My First Encounter With Jesus.
"PRAISE GOD"
