Margaret Jackson

Coincidence or God Incidence?

As a twenty-nine year old woman in 1945, my husband and I led very busy lives. We had just had our fourth child and purchased a larger home, to accommodate our growing family. Roland was advancing in his job and with the weight of the war behind us, we became involved in many activities. We joined a lodge together and I was a member of a Drill Team. Remember those? With our family, many friends and activities, I should have felt fulfilled, yet I was not happy.

Interestingly enough, just a few blocks from our home was a little Baptist church. Roland and I did not attend any church, however he knew it was important that we send our oldest child, Dolores. She loved going and, at eight years of age, asked Jesus to come into her life and be her Savior. It wasn't until two years later, Easter Sunday, March 29th, 1948, that I decided to go to church with her. She sat in the front with the children as she usually did and I sat further back. At the close of the service Rev. Keyes asked those who needed prayer to raise their hand and I readily raised mine. As we were leaving, the pastor kindly invited me to return for the evening service. During our walk home Dolores asked, "Mama, did you raise your hand?" I told her, "Yes, Honey, I did", and she said, "I was praying that you would."

I recall that nothing could have kept me from returning that evening. At the end of the service the pastor once again asked for hands to be raised, but this time it was for salvation. I will never forget the forceful battle I felt going on inside of me. I wanted to raise my hand but I just could not. Probably only minutes passed yet time seemed to stand still. Finally I prayed, "God help me to raise my hand." Instantly my arm flew up with no effort on my part. Complete peace came over me, my burden gone. The pastor's wife counseled me and the one verse that stood out to me the most was, "He that hath the Son hath life, he that hath not the Son hath not life, but the wrath of God abideth on him." I wanted God's Son and I wanted life. That evening I asked God to forgive me for my sins, to save me and be the Lord of my life. Right away I had a desire to serve Christ because I realized he had paid in full the price for my sins.

I know now that nothing that occurred in my life was a coincidence. God had previously arranged everything. It was not a coincidence that our new home was just around the corner from a church that taught truth, God's Word. It was not a coincidence that the saints of the church prayed for our family after Dolores was saved. It was not a coincidence that our entire family came to know and love the Lord. Acts 16:34b became our verse. "He was filled with joy, because he had come to believe in God, he and his whole family."

God tells us that he planned our days even before we were born and that his plan is flawless. God is not willing that any should perish. This is God's plan for you and your family, too. He wants to have a personal relationship with you. He wants you to have the abundant life now and to own his promise of eternal life with him in Heaven. In a moment of humility I raised my hand, making the choice to believe. From that moment on, my entire life changed for me and for our entire family. Have you raised your hand and said, "Yes" to Christ?