Painted targets – that is what we were! God had marked my family for ambush: a loving one, that is. Bit by bit He maneuvered our circumstances to bring us closer to His Way. Although initially unseen by us when we moved to Ocean Park in 1991, God was present in our daily lives preparing to orchestrate major changes. What began as a move to a bigger home and a quieter neighbourhood turned out to be more than we anticipated!
The realtor who sold us the house actually lived a few houses away, so she was very interested in the family who would be moving in, especially to know if they had children who would become playmates for her daughter. Naturally, she was thrilled to learn that we had children of similar age. From the time we moved in, she told me later, she and her family began praying that we would go to their church and come to know Jesus. As our older girls met new friends at the elementary school, my husband and I also met their parents. We got to know one such family who lived at the other end of our block and, as it happened, knew the realtor and went to the same church. Unbeknownst to us until later, they started praying for us, too. I am sure this was part of God’s ambush plan – He had us surrounded by praying Christians! Between the two families, our kids received offers of rides to Sunday school and other kids’ events and programs at the church. We let them go, knowing there would be no harm in that. Remembering the faith of my youth, I thought it would be a good thing for them to learn about God. In addition, the older girls went to Christian summer camps where they learned more about God and each one actually committed her life to Jesus. I can just hear the angels saying, “Two down, and four to go!”
During 1994 and 1995, my husband and I became involved in a multi-level marketing business, in addition to our day jobs. After some time, we found out that our sponsors were Christians, but of course, one’s religion had no bearing on the business so we did not think much of it. Little did we know that they also began praying for us! God definitely had us clear in His sights.
In the meantime, our financial situation dipped to some desperate lows, out of which we could not see a clear way. Finally, we attended a gathering at which we heard some very convincing Christian testimonies. By the time of the altar call was made, our hearts were ready to accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour and so we did! Now with four of the painted targets secured, only two remained.
Over the next several months, we joined our neighbours’ church which embraced us with open arms while continuing to pray for our family. Our son accepted Jesus in time to join the other four of us in baptism on Palm Sunday, 1996. Two years later, seven years after moving to Ocean Park, the prayers of our neighbours, our business associates, and church family culminated in our youngest daughter committing to Jesus and going through the waters of baptism, too! Mission accomplished!
Lord, thank you that you chose us to become part of your spiritual family. Thank you that you take us as we are, forgive us, and love us. Lord, thank you for your people who pray for the salvation of others; who pray unceasingly; and who pray with eternal hope. Lord, grant them abundant blessings, for we are eternally thankful for their persistence. Amen.
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