Note: all names have been changed to protect the guilty young
lady... (me) (I share this story with you because, hopefully, you will
learn from our mistakes!)
Last summer while my dad and brother, Daniel, were across the field
working on a church parking lot, they met a young man and his sister who
were walking with a Bible. So, of course, my dad talked to them and asked
them if they were Christians, etc. The young man (Michael) and his sister
(Amy) were very nice and Dad brought them to our house. Michael went back
to the church parking lot with Dad and Daniel, and Amy stayed and talked
to me while I cleaned up our very messy kitchen and made supper. Amy was
a nice girl, but she dressed very immodestly.
She told us about her family life, and my heart went out to her. Her
parents are divorced,and she lives with her mother.
Her brother, Michael, is a Christian (so is Amy) and is going to Moody
or some such college this year. He was working at a factory in our area
during the summer, and his sister and mother spent their vacation up here.
(They lived in TX). Amy accepted Christ a year and a half ago or so, and
she does not think that her mother is saved. Her mom is Presbyterian or
belongs to some such church affiliation.
Anyway, Amy shared with us that she had given up rock music and such
and was wondering about the headcovering and modest dress. She said she
didn’t know anyone that wore a covering. She was so alone in her beliefs
(that she did have), and without even her mother’s support. Her mom thought
she was nuts! Well, we thought that we’d see them again since they were
staying so close. I especially wanted to be a good testimony to Amy, showing
her a different way.
A couple of weeks later, Mom and I and a few other members of our family
were involved in a heated family “argument” and hot words flew back and
forth. I was the most upset and was just infuriated. Of course, I am ashamed
of my words now! But I was not thinking then!
My little sister Ruth came running in... “I saw Michael and Amy! They
were standing by the side door, and then they went away!”
Well, it just so happened that it was one of the hottest days of the
summer, and since we weren’t using air conditioners, every window in the
house was open. And it just so happened that the side door was almost exactly
below where I was standing, arguing with Mom and defending somebody else
and really having an ungodly attitude.
Oh, how ashamed I was! Here I was, thinking that I was the good girl
and Amy the wayward one and how goody-goody I was and how I should really
try to set a good example for her, really feeling pretty good about myself
the whole time.
WELL! How wrong I was! Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not think that
Amy was in the right. But then, neither was I! It rather reminds me of
the story in the Bible about the Pharisee and the publican in the temple...remember?
The Pharisee prayed, “Oh God, I thank you that I am not as other men are...”
And the publican prayed, “Oh have mercy on me, a sinner” and Jesus honored
the publican in that story! Not for his sin, but for his sincere repentance!
God was very much displeased with the Pharisee, though. The Pharisee was
proud and haughty, just as I was. And God humbled me! I do not think that
the Bible mentions whether or not the Pharisee was humbled in front of
others, but God did not forgive him. I am also reminded of the verse that
says that what is said in secret will be shouted form the housetops. I
didn’t think anyone was listening to me be nasty and loud! But someone
— three persons, actually were! God, Michael, and Amy. And God knows that
I am sorry and that I never meant to be a bad testimony. But I will always
feel remorse when I remember that Michael and Amy don’t know that.
Dad saw Michael a couple of months ago, but I have never seen either
of them again. They will never know how sorry I am for being so hypocritical,
so proud, such a bad testimony for those of us who are trying to dress
modestly and obey God’s Word. They will never know, and for that I will
be forever sorry.
-“Leah”
Thank you so much for sharing this testimony with us, “Leah”, as
I know it must have taken much courage to do so! May the Lord help us all
to be good testimonies for Him, and may He also forgive us when we fail...
=| We’re so thankful that He does, or else we would have no hope in this
life! "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."
- Ps 51:1-2 -Summer and Melody