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 I became a Christian when I was five years old. I don't remember the date, but I still recall my Dad coming into the room I shared with my brother and speaking to us about our need to be saved, then praying together with us.
This was the first step of my spiritual pilgrimage. Of course, there would be more steps relating to understanding, and to growing.
One such step happened when I injured my knee playing hockey. I hobbled for two months. In this period of inactivity Mom brought me books from the church libary. Reading them was an education. I still remember some of the things they said about faith in finding God's will.
I attended the very first Banff Youth Rally. F. C. Peters was the keynote speaker. I came back from this (for me) very wonderful experience, and asked to be baptized. I was 16 years old.
A dry spell followed. My folks wanted me to attend Bible School; I wasn't interested. A close call with a bull (and some bargaining with God) ended this. I attended Hepburn Bible School for three years and gained much in the way of knowledge.
Bible School was also the catalyst, after I graduated, to a summer of Christian Service in Pincher Cree, AB. It was eye-opening. I saw that church life isn't all easy sailing and agreement. I experienced some headaches in the process.
I came back to Saskatchewan; spent a year in University and joined the work force and a local church here. I went through times of joy, and times of drifting.
The fall of 1995 became a milestone. I'd worked a lot of overtime which I banked. I had the month of November off and went back to Laird to stay at my folks. One of my brothers (also living in Laird), had just recently returned to the Lord after years of living for himself. Seeing his life, the postivie changes, and then looking at my own life – he was doing much better than I was. What a motivation!
I felt the Holy Spirit's push to do better. No, not better than my brother (being a Christian is not a competition), but better. I had a longer Christian history. What had happened to me? My focus changed; life improved.
I still have a long way to go. But praise God for His patience. I'm grateful too, that He is more interested in my future than in my past.
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