God is Faithful to Save – by Loren

About a year ago, I said goodbye to my mother. I held her hand, read the 23rd Psalm, prayed over her, and told her that when she let go of my hand, she would find the hand of Jesus. As hard as it was, I had peace that I would one day see her in heaven. Because of this, I could grieve with hope.

In her final year, Mom told me about my Great Grandma Jenny. She was a Godly woman, a founding member of her Lutheran Church, who loved singing hymns like “A Mighty Fortress” while rocking babies in her old rocking chair. My grandfather followed her footsteps as a church usher, and my Mom followed his by bringing our family to church. Mom was my first Sunday School teacher. On Saturdays, we polished the old wooden pews with lemon oil, arranged altar linens, and set out fresh flowers. I loved worshipping together as a family in the sanctuary.

I’ll never forget the Saturday I swept some dirt under a sanctuary rug. I was only six and proud of my shortcut. But the older church lady helping us looked at me with a sober expression. She used that moment to teach me about sin, explaining that God sees everything and there is only one way to have our sins washed away. I never hid dirt under rugs again. I began to recognize my own sin, and though the solution was beyond my understanding, I understood the shame.

In that church, the first seeds of the Gospel were planted. I loved singing “Jesus Loves Me” and hearing the old Lutheran liturgy. Growing up with parents who dedicated us to God was a blessing. Sadly, my parents eventually hit hard times, questioned God, and walked away from their faith. Without the covering of Godly parents, it felt as if all of hell came after me.

Yet, my Lutheran Pastor arranged for me to continue Catechism classes so I could be confirmed. I was incredibly rebellious and resented going without my family, but the church community extended immense grace to me. I don’t remember much of the lessons, but I remember the people who loved me through it and faithfully pointed me to Jesus.

Soon after my first Communion, my family moved to Kissimmee, Florida for a fresh start. We were very poor, and at 12 years old, I was given a small box to pack my belongings. Inside, I placed a Ouija board, tarot cards, and a Bible from our church. I was desperately searching, but thank God for those early seeds, because I packed that Bible.

Within weeks, I got into a fight with a neighborhood boy. Soon, his mother was knocking on our door. Peeking out the window at this pregnant woman, the shame was heavy; I felt I had already ruined our family’s fresh start. But when I opened the door, her expression softened. God gave her compassion. Instead of judgment, she showed me mercy. She welcomed me, asked for my side of the story, and gently corrected me. She explained how sin separates us from God and patiently shared the verses of the Romans Road.

For the first time, I understood why Jesus died on the cross. I didn’t hesitate when she asked if I wanted to pray. She held my hands, and we prayed as my tears hit the doorstep. That day, my life totally changed.

In the years that followed, I shared my faith passionately, starting a prayer group and a Bible club at my high school. Many peers and their families were saved. But while I saw friends come to Christ, my own family remained far from God. When my parents divorced, I was devastated. Like them, I eventually questioned God and walked away. Once again, I entered a dark season, but God only let me wander so far. When He promises never to leave or forsake you, He means it.

Fifteen years later, the Lord brought me to the end of myself. In the pit I had dug, I looked up and found He was still waiting. I prayed with a Christian friend and vowed to live fully for Jesus.

I began praying fervently for my husband and my family. My husband surrendered his life to Christ, and God has been bringing the rest of my family home, one by one. In the last year of her life, my Mom also turned to Jesus. What peace it brings to know she will be waiting for me in heaven, a place where everything broken here will be made whole.

Until that day, I will continue to pray, thanking God for His generational faithfulness. As I sit in Great Grandma Jenny’s rocking chair writing this, I am praying for everyone reading. May you and your family also know the love of God, the saving power of Jesus, and the peace only the Holy Spirit can give to those who repent and believe.

The Romans Road (KJV)

The Problem: Romans 3:23

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”

The Consequence: Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The Remedy: Romans 5:8

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

The Response: Romans 10:9

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

The Assurance: Romans 10:13

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”