A CHANGE OF PLANS
""In his heart a man plans his course..."  Proverbs 16:9a    

     When I decided to follow Jesus my life changed drastically much to my husband's dismay.  Every day upon his arrival home I had some exciting news about Jesus to report.  God worked miracles in my life and R.J. received daily account which caused him to look a little bewildered as he would try to relax in his recliner.

      I started reading the Bible for the first time in my life and I would relay my findings nightly.  I believed I was just telling R.J. the good news I was reading, which I found to be very exciting.  Also I was attending my first Bible study class which I felt compelled to share.

      R.J.  had said repeatedly, "I'm going to wait until I'm 80 years old to get saved so I can start with a clean slate."

      I began praying for him.  Whenever he got mad at me, making remarks about my being a Christian, I would go into the bathroom and get down on my knees and talk to God.  I would pound on the bathtub and exclaim, "God, did you hear what he said?  What are You going to do about that guy?"  This went on for a year.

      We attended many different churches because I was looking for a New Testament church like those I read about in the Bible.  R.J. would tell everyone, "We have to change churches every Sunday because my wife only has one dress."

      We did finally settle in one particular church in Lake Elsinore, California we both felt comfortable attending.  At the end of Service, pastor Jack would give and alter call, saying, "With all eyes closed anyone wanting to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, raise your hand."  I would peek to see if R.J. raised his hand.  Finally one Sunday I said I would not peek any more and just leave it to God.  

      After service a gentleman who had been sitting us came up to R.J. and said, "Excuse me, but didn't you raise your hand?"  R.J. said, "Well, yes I did raise my hand."  The gentleman and I took R.J. up to Pastor Jack and I said excitedly, "Pastor Jack, you had your eyes closed, too, and didn't see R.J. raise his hand to accept Jesus.  This gentleman sitting behind us saw R.J. raise his hand.  He wants to receive Jesus today!"  Jack said, "R.J., I'm sorry.  I didn't see your hand raised.  Come with me."

      We all trooped into a side room, Jack, the gentleman and his wife, R.J. and me.  It was a very touching scene watching R.J. give his heart to Jesus.  There wasn't a dry eye in the room!

      Later I prayed, "Thank You, Jesus, for answering my year-long prayers.  I thought You weren't listening when I prayed for R.J. every day.  What a loving God you are!"

      As soon as we arrived home after church, R.J. proceeded to phone his sister Audrey in Northern California, telling her, "Audrey, I gave my heart to Jesus today.  I couldn't wait until I got to be 80 years old like I planned."  Then I heard him say to her, "Well, if you had a wife who preached to you every day for a whole year you'd get saved, too!"

      I was surprised at his response because it never occurred to me that I had been preaching to him.  I thought I was just sharing my excitement about Jesus.

      I believe God had plans for R.J. that we couldn't possible know.  Just at it says in Proverbs 16:9, "In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps."  

      R.J. did not live to be 80 years old, but went Home to be with the Lord at age 69.  Thank God for His Mercies which are new every morning!