From the Archives: 2010

Written by Joyce Mauer

At 10 years old I was in church and baptized, but as I grew older and got my first job, I stopped going. I fell into the habit of going to church and then leaving again, but, after getting married and settling down, I felt like God was calling me to join a church.

As a good member, I got involved with the church and was put in as a deacon but basically did nothing but sit on a pew. I shudder now when I look back on that time because I didn’t really know God. I’m not sure I understood that you could be saved.

Son’s Challenge

Bobby, my son, who was growing in the LORD, stopped by to see me one morning in Chapel Hill. He asked if I knew what would break his heart, and, at my hesitation, he explained that he would be heartbroken if he got to heaven and I wasn’t there.

While I thought I was a Christian, Bobby saw that I didn’t have a close, intimate relationship with God. With Bobby’s question still in mind and after my husband and I bought a condominium in Ashe County, I knew that God was pulling at me to get into a church again. I was unsure as to where to go in Chapel Hill or Ashe County, and then the storm.

Sovereign Protection

It was autumn in Ashe County and late one night there was a terrible storm. The rain was horrendous. Work was being done on our condo and scaffolding leaned against the house. As the storm worsened, I got out of bed and began to pace the floor.

I walked to a window and felt what I can only describe as the wind from one of those “church hand fans” blow across my face. The window opened and I heard a non-audible voice say, “The window is going to blow.”

Just as I stepped back, a scaffolding board came crashing through the window but didn’t hit me. It was after this that I seriously started questioning myself. Here was a God that I didn’t know, but I knew HE warned me that night. It was evident that I had experienced an amazing miracle and there was more to God then I realized. This started my journey of getting to know the God of the storm.

Getting to Know the God of the Storm

I found a women’s Bible study listed in the newspaper and began attending and studying The Word with other Christian women, many who have become close friends. I realize now that when I heard God’s voice in my heart that dark, stormy night, it caused me to question my salvation. I knew I was in dangerous territory. I asked myself if I was really saved or just going through the motions.

Since then, He revealed to me that I do belong to Him and I am to live for Him and Him only. I’ve learned that I am to praise Him for everything and that He can even take our sin and use it for good. How many people are sitting on a pew, like I did, but Jesus will say to them, “I never knew you.”

I am so thankful the LORD knows me. He got my attention and has drawn me to him. I’m still learning but I’ve come a long way and I’m thankful to Jesus my LORD.