As we celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Counties Evangelist, Janet Hawking, reminds us that there is still a hurting world that needs Him.
JANET HAWING
Janet is a Counties Evangelist and lives in North Pembrokeshire. She travels and teaches Walk Through The Bible. She became a Christian when she was 14. The moment happened after a rare altar call asking people to surrender their lives to Christ, and Janet knelt in a Methodist Chapel in Devon. She says: “That changed me, and joy flooded my heart that Jesus loved me.”
JANET’S STORY
A couple of weeks ago, after teaching a class, I was sitting in the staff room, and I noticed two young people who were on work experience from their secondary school. As they returned to class, the young lady hesitated, sat back down, and asked: “Are you a Christian?”
She then poured her heart out to me, with tears, sharing the dilemma of being caught between her parents. She had depression, and sessions with counsellors left her in bits - always blaming herself. I shared how Jesus had forgiven me and given me hope, peace, forgiveness, love, and acceptance.
She smiled and said she felt different. She even acknowledged that she felt happy. She knew if she chose Jesus it would have huge consequences for her relationship with her dad. But, for now, it was okay to feel accepted and loved.
I gave her a big, long hug, and she returned to her class. I promised I would continue to pray for this beautiful teenager.
Later I felt I needed a good walk. So I went round the lakes and began chatting to an elderly man. He poured out his pain with tears as he was recently widowed and struggling. He had planned to commit suicide but had sat in a church, alone, holding a candle and it had reminded him of the years he had attended Sunday school.
He wept as he listened to how Jesus carried me through sad times. I prayed with him and hugged him as he cried again. This Christmas will be hard for those with an empty chair at the table. I have been there too. But Jesus shines into these dark, dark places and gives Hope. Thank you, Heavenly Father for sending your son into the world. May God bless and fill you with His peace wherever you may be this Christmas.