I’ve been telling you about my “wake-up-call” at the death of my best Christian friend I had ever known, Gail Miller. 
At Gail’s funeral I met Bertha Madden who had a few weeks later phoned me saying that God had a message for me.  That Gift of Knowledge I read rang true to me.
   
I had turned down a group of several young women as we had planned to audition to sing with a music group. 

My purpose in doing this was to go to a prayer meeting instead. 

If God was speaking to me, then that was more exciting than the band trip.

Making such a spiritual choice was unheard of in my group of university friends.

When I arrived at the Madden’s home that night in 1960, it was hard to find a parking place. 

I walked through the unlatched front door and saw that the large screened-in porch had wall-to-wall people.  The living room was also crowded, but there my host guided me to a seat. 

This did not look as though it was going to be a boring meeting!  There was an air of excitement as the meeting began.  We sang choruses, shared how God answered prayer, read from the Bible, and took turns praying. 

At this point, I was simply an observer.

GETTING INVOLVED

Eventually, the leader asked if I would like to have prayer. 

You may remember from past columns that I had intermittent insomnia after Gail’s funeral.

So I thought to myself, “Maybe it would do some good and it couldn’t do any harm.” 

My verbal response was, “Yes.”

I was guided to a chair more centrally located in the room.  The prayer leader requested that the Rev. Bill Sherwood pray for me.  I did not know Fr. Sherwood, but since he was an Episcopal priest, I figured all would be handled “properly.” 

He gently laid hands on my head and immediately prayed in a language I did not understand.  It was beautiful and powerful. 

The thought came to me that this could be the spiritual unknown language that Gail had talked about.

The realty of God’s love and His presence touched me.  I began to sob and the tears ran down my face.

Between the sobs came sounds and almost unutterable groans when I tried to speak to God.  I was releasing a lot of hurt and pain in my 26 years of life. 

Eventually the leader whispered in my ear to quiet my heart.  For a time, I had forgotten about others in the room. 

A PATH FOR YOU

Later I read in the Bible, “Likewise the Holy Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that are beyond our power to say  (Romans 8:26 MOD.).   I found that what I had experienced was right there in the words of Scripture.   

Following the meeting, my new friends congratulated me that I had received the power of the Holy Spirit.  I smiled as I received loving hugs, said “goodnight,” got in my car and headed for home.  

It was a beautiful evening as so many are in Tampa, Florida. 

My roommates were already asleep.  I quietly entered my home and would discover my sleep sweet and my insomnia cured. 
The next morning I drove to work by way of Bay Shore Boulevard.  Everywhere I looked there was more depth of color: in the hibiscus flowers, blue birds, and sparkling Tampa bay.  The world was new and I felt like a new person.  

Of course I am telling my own story; yours may be different. 

All I know is that God loves you just as He does me.  He has answers for you. 

The Bible has a unique pathway in it, just for you. 

Next time, join me for my new segment on spiritual gifts.