Author Darlene J. Conard

In her latest blog post, my friend Angela Dempsey discusses the importance of treating others with love and compassion, especially about salvation. Her insightful perspective reminds us of the value of approaching conversations with openness and kindness. She encourages us to understand the vast effect of God’s timing through her words. How is the person going to receive anything if salvation is force-fed? Her blog inspired me to write about this.

Several nights ago, I dreamed about this man claiming to be a pastor. I no longer attend there. The dream begins with my sister and I riding in the area where his church sits. “I don’t want to go there, please Janet.” Ignoring my pleading, she continues driving towards the building. “I feel like we need to. It’s important.” Refraining from persuading her, I tensely pressed my body to the seat. Upon our arrival, we prepared ourselves as we exited the car. We entered the building choosing the front-row center, which was not my preference in this case. Across from us sat a man bruised and dirty with massive open cuts on his body. I saw myself sitting there before my conversion. The “preacher” comes up to him with a microphone and starts shouting in his face, “You need to repent! You’re going to hell if you don’t change!” Confused, the battered man replied, “I don’t understand you.” Getting closer to his face, he shouted louder. “You -are going to hell! Do you understand that?”

“All I know is I’m hurting and need help.” Sterner-faced, the “preacher” replied sarcastically, “Well, if you weren’t living a life of sin, you wouldn’t be in the mess you’re in! “He then walks over to my sister and me, shouting in my face, “Who do you think you are? You’re not a Christian!” I lifted my arms and turned them over to expose my wrist. “You see these arms? These arms once bore razor-blade and glass cuts. No longer does my body have a single scar.” I walked over to the man. “Sir, look at these arms that once bore cut marks. They are no longer there because of Jesus. Jesus did this for me, and He will do it for you. He loves you too.” Tears dribbled down the man’s face, making clean places on his cheeks. “That’s all I needed to know. That there is someone who loved me enough to care about my wounded soul.”

I do not apologize for writing what God tells me to write about. How will the alcoholic know Jesus is the way unless a converted alcoholic relates? How can the harlot on the street know that God can fill her void unless someone walks in her shoes once? How can a drug addict know that Jesus is a permanent fix unless another born-again addict says, “Hey, I once was there. I get you. There’s hope, my friend. I know because I was there myself.” Most people I come in contact with have difficulty believing that I was once an evil person. I say evil without exaggeration. I haven’t begun to speak of it all. “Hey, this is evidence of the power of Jesus’ blood! I didn’t get where I’m at on my own! I will always give Him glory, honor, and praise!

I have never bashed people with the word of God, nor will I start! People will watch our lives and see God in our lives. Continue in love, but be careful not to be a doormat. I’m coming out of this myself.

God bless and continue sowing seeds of God’s compassion.

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:36-40 KJV)

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