I Found the Source of Joy Written by Cindy, Translated by Christina The first time I went to church was more than ten years ago.□ I had just arrived in America and felt lost and helpless.□ In church I met Mrs. Wang from Taiwan.□ She was a very cheerful lady.□ Her husband was a contractor for a small restaurant, which had pretty good business.□ Mrs. Wang had three kids to take care of and went to the restaurant to help with cleaning.□ She was pregnant at the time and felt very tired.□ The worst thing was, her husband would hit her for trivial matters.□ However, every time I saw Mrs. Wang, her expression was full of joy.□
Iheard about God
One day she took me to a women’s fellowship group.□ It was there that I found the source of her joy.□ The topic of that day was “you only see the speck in your brother’s eye, yet you don’t see the plank in your own eye”.□ The session was lively with many interesting stories. The memories of that day are still fresh in my mind now.□ Mrs. Wang’s sincerely prayed “may the Lord guide me through this difficult period of time.” The reason for her husband’s temperament was due to stress from his job.□ She prayed, “May he be touched by the Lord soon so that he can believe in Christ and find peace.”□ I admired the way she forgave her husband for hitting her.□
I remembered that particular Bible verse very well.□ I was taught to examine myself more often and to be strict on myself and be loose on others.□ Unfortunately, due to our move and many other reasons, I was not able to continue going to church. At that time, I thought Christianity was just like other religions in that it teaches how to perfect oneself and care for others.
I came before the Lord
Five years later, I moved to Switzerland with my husband.□ We lived in a small town near Zurich.□ The town was beautiful and our life was peaceful.□ There was a tastefully decorated church located on a hill just 200 meters from our house.□ The first time I went there, I simply wanted to check it out.□ I was in awe of all the magnificent glass and lively pictures.□ The statue of Jesus Christ dying on the cross was especially touching.□
During that visit, I met a nice lady who was in her fifties.□ She was very sad because she had lost both of her sons.□ What a tragedy it was for a mother.□ Everyone will die sooner or later, but having a loved one leave us before his time stirs your heart and makes you feel vulnerable, meek, incapable and hopeless.□ Since I was pregnant at that time and did not have any relatives around me, I was feeling especially helpless and depressed myself.□ In that little town, there was hardly anyone who spoke English, not to mention Chinese.□ When I was compelled to pray before the Lord, I heard the words, which I had read before: “We will meet again in heaven.□ This is not the end.”□ I felt overwhelmingly peaceful.□ I slept especially soundly that night.
I found the source of joy
After moving to California, I joined a women’s fellowship group.□ I was so happy.□ The sisters were very friendly and warm.□ It was there that I got to know Christ and found the source of joy.□ Soon I accepted the Lord with the help of the pastor’s wife.□ I felt the Lord working on my heart.□ I know the Lord will bless me and keep me.□ I hope the Lord will continue to touch the hearts of my family members so our entire family can accept the Lord and enjoy the peace and joy in Christ.
Trusting Jesus is the first step to huge adventures in our lives. Life is not always easy, but I know Christ is always with me. These promises are available to you as well. Why not pray this simple prayer in faith today and release the reins of your life back into God’s hands.
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of woman you want me to be.
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