This is not my testimony, but a story about my grandson. I have asked for prayer on his behalf as he completes his education and joins the ministy. I believe he has been called to this work and this is why.
Ryan was born into a SDA home, his over active and high energy level pushed him to attain everything he tried to do. He excelled especially in sports af any kind but he became focused on golf in his high school years. He was so encouraged by pros and friends that he could have a great money making career, that his concentration became golf, golf, golf. The family could see a wandering away from spiritual things in his life and worldly tendencies taking their place. A visit west for me was painful when i sat and talked to him and found a proud, self centered, money mad youth. my prayer went up to God to 'do whatever was necesary to get his attention, bring him back to earth, and into the fold again'. Our whole family was praying the same thing, 'save our Ryan, Lord'. He enrolled in college, with golf his major. Most tournaments are on weekends, including sabbaths.
I returned home after my wonderful visit, with a heavy heart concerning my grandson. About three or four days later, the phone rang and a friend told me he had bad news..Ryan was okay but he had fallen in a basket ball game and had broken both wrists!!
One wrist needed surgery the next day. What mixed feelings I had. Sorry for the accident and pain it surely was causing, and praise to the Lord for this happening, for I felt is was an answer to prayer and was wondering what God had planned for him now that He had slowed him down. I was sure that if anything else would have been broken...Ryan would have made an effort to play anyway, but with two broken wrists...?
When He returned from the Hospital to the family cabin by the lake, he was hand tied and needed help with everything. His childhood friend came to spend the summer with him and help him as long as he needed help. Mom and Dad were ready to help but Ryan was a man of his own.
It is boreing to have no hands to do what you have always done. Sitting and doing nothing was not an option. 'I've been studying the bible,' his roomate said, 'would you like to study with me?' 'That would be better then doing nothing,' Ryan agreed. so they started. His friend was not an SDA and had been studying with JWs. As they got into some theology that Ryan did not recognize..he became very eager to find the truth of the matter. He called his granpa and grandma near by and asked for information. The grandparents invited the boys over to listen to some tapes [Kenneth Cox] and assured them they would find the answers. Well they couldn't get enough, sometimes watching 5 hours at a time and sometimes tired and falling asleep while watching, but over and over they went to watch tapes. Changes were taking place in my grandson,s heart. conviction and conversion were happening and when the casts were removed, and life became normal, a young man was standing, just as determined to follow a humble, poor Christ as he was to become a millionaire in the world.
He enroled at PUC, his goal Dr. of divinity. His junior year he was volunteer assistant pastor in a little town near PUC. His senior year he became a paid assistant to the pastor. After graduation, He married the pastors daughter where he had assisted and they were given a church where he pastored for two years. With that behind him he is now to finish his education for his higher degree at Andrews University, then to be sent/called to a permenant location to really start his ministy. He has one and a Half years to go. I have some sermon tapes and as his grandma...I think he will save the world. Ha!Ha! Well, he will help. okay?
I've told this story at prayer meeting and When folks tell of discouragement over children and grandchildren, it is so comforting to know that God cares so much about our families that he will even 'break wrists' to get them to listen. God does answer prayer. God does change lives.
I hope this is not too long Richard...I made it as short as I could. God I good.
In His Name
charlene