In downtown Nouméa, where I lived at the time, there was a cozy lounge where my wife and I would socialize with friends around a cup of coffee. Maria, the waitress who generally attended our table, had grown fond of us. Occasionally we conversed, and she enjoyed it, as long as we didn’t bring up religion.
She was a single woman in her 30s, who had been deeply hurt by people she cared about. We had given her a pamphlet that had a picture of Jesus and a beautiful message about salvation, but she later confirmed that she did not read it.
We went again one evening and Maria was not herself. She would usually smile, but that day her face was stern. She appeared to be in despair. Nothing we did helped, and eventually she just walked out.
A week later, we stopped by the lounge again. Maria was there and we were stunned when we saw her. She was completely different; her transformation was like night and day! She sat with us and told us the following amazing story:
Last time I saw you was the worst day of my life! I was overwhelmed with hopelessness and discouragement. Just looking at you both so happy and peaceful added to my despair, so I decided to leave the job early and dragged myself home.
I was in pain and wanted to finish it all! I had sleeping pills in my bedside table, and as I lay there, I decided to swallow them all and take my life.
As I opened the drawer to grab the pills, I saw your pamphlet with the picture of Jesus. I felt Him looking at me with such peace and love. I was drawn to it like a magnet and read it, then I burst into uncontrollable tears. I read the prayer at the end over and over, and I gave my heart to Jesus. Then I fell asleep.
Waking up the next morning, I was a different person. All of the burden, anxiety and bitterness was gone. I felt so free, liberated, and truly happy, maybe for the first time in my life!
The love of Jesus is that powerful!
If you have not yet received Jesus as your Savior, you can do so by praying the following prayer:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died on the cross for me so that I can live forever with You in heaven. I open the door of my heart to You. Please forgive my sins. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Guide my life and help me to follow You. Amen.