My parents,
who came to East Tennessee via World War
II, went back home to South Carolina
after the war – only to return to Oak
Ridge in 1953. I had just started
seventh grade; and I met and became
friends with a great group of girls.
We were all
from the same neighborhoods and economic
backgrounds – poor – and yet, truly rich
– although none of us really knew about
either one at the time. We had all
grown up with the same rich family
values; we went to church together; and
we all graduated from Oak Ridge High
School in 1959.
After
graduation, we all went our separate
ways and married our high school
sweethearts, “older men”, coop students;
or, as in my case, we met our mates in
college. We all had children; some of
us have grand children; and most of us
left Oak Ridge for other cities.
We called
ourselves “The Dirty Dozen”; but we were
neither dirty, nor a dozen.
This past
weekend, I attended a reunion of eight
of us – the most “beautifulest” (as my
grandson would say) of the Class of
’59. Well, maybe not physical beauty;
as I think back, there may have been
prettier girls, but we were wholesome
and pure, naive and innocent – nothing
like those characters portrayed in the
supposedly “Fabulous Fifties” movie,
“Grease”.
Most of us
were searching our hearts spiritually.
I had come to know Jesus as a nine year
old child; I didn’t really understand
it, but I was simply trusting in the One
I heard about in my regular church
attendance. At fifteen, I was in a
powerful evangelistic service; and I
re-dedicated my life to Christ. I
became very convicted of my sins; and I
wanted them covered by Jesus’ blood.
I had many
questions that were not answered at that
time; and became dissatisfied with the
church I was attending, and actually
began visiting other denominations
looking for answers and spiritual food.
I had many long conversations with my
“gang”; and found that they were
searching and questioning too.
In 1965, my
husband, Tom, and I were blessed to find
a church where a lot of my questions
were answered. Hearing the Word
preached and taught so plainly, my
spiritual eyes were truly opened and I
saw the Kingdom of God. My soul was
truly being blessed and fed as never
before; and I began to grow as a
Believer.
If you are
questioning your purpose in life and
searching for the big answers; first and
foremost, you must trust that the Blood
of Jesus can and will save you from your
sins – your yesterdays, todays, and
tomorrows.
Jesus led a
sinless life as a man – truly a man – He
died for our sins as God and man. The
simple act of believing that He led shed
His blood for me is all it takes to
assure me a home in heaven. He opened
my spiritual eyes and flooded my soul
with His wonderful peace; and what more
could we ask for?
I’m looking
forward to a greater Reunion Day; and
sincerely hope my old friends and many
new friends and loved one will be
there. After trusting Jesus with your
eternity; trust His Word; read it;
believe it; and listen to it being
preached and taught – then go out and
live it!
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