My Independence Day
As I thought about the 2011, 4th of July celebrations, my thoughts traveled back to my Independence Day on October 12, 1957. I was only 13, but already rather worldly wise, boy crazy and rebellious.
My family had just moved from an apartment bordering the tenement side of the small city of Fitchburg, Massachusetts to a 3 story colonial a few miles away in the rural town of West Townsend. However, our brief tenure in an environment of mini-gangs and wild girls had a fast and hard influence on an impressionable and foolish 12 year old.
My metaphorisis began when I was invited by another twentyish 'Beth' to climb New Hampshire's Mt. Monadnock with the youth of the tiny West Townsend Baptist church.
The day was sunny and warm for October - probably what New Englander's call 'Indian Summer'. Beth had an ulterior motive for inviting me on the climb, but at 13 I wasn't thinking about that. I had my sights on two teenage boys who I was trying to keep up with!
"If you died tonight...."
I had no idea that the hike back down the mountain and the short ride back to West Townsend would precede my independence day - the most momentous day of my life.
The little VWF Hall across from the Baptist Church had a record crowd of teens. In combination with the lack of amusements in the country town, I was ironically probably responsible for the size of the audience. Somehow I had received a flyer about the meeting (probably from Beth). I had enscribed "Free Music" on the chaukboard at school for no particular reason other than I wanted something to do.
I sat in the middle of the assembly, but the room was packed with teens behind me who knew me as the new "bad girl" in town. Other than the crowd behind me, I remember 3 things about that night.First the name of the evangelist was Frank Arcardy.
Second - I Remember Fear of Hell!
I had never been to a 'Revival Meeting' before, but Frank spoke one sentence I remember clearly to this day - "If you died tonight, you would go to hell." Actually, I don't remember ever hearing about hell except as a swear word, but it pierced my conscience like a sword, and I KNEW it was TRUE.
My mind flashed back to my behavior of the day before when I was walking down the road thinking I was cool as I 'flipped the bird' at the passing cars. Somehow I knew that action alone would keep me out of Heaven, but combined with all my other misdeeds I was sure I didn't have a chance.
Third - I Remember That I Chickened Out.
Billy Graham style, the evangelist called for raised hands if you wanted to accept Christ's gift of eternal life. I wanted to, but with all those adolescent boys and girls behind me, I chickened out.
God, however, was gracious and merciful. Beth invited me again to go with her to hear the evangelist. This time it was to Fitchburg's sister city, Leominster, where I knew no one.
Finally I Received My Independence Day!I was ready as Frank Arcardy again offered an invitation to all who were ready to turn from away from their wrong-doing (sin), and receive Jesus as their Savior. My hand shot up and I practically ran to the front.
Someone prayed with me, and I received my Independence Day! Jesus was real and I KNEW it. He loved me and I felt it. He died for me and paid for my sins by going to hell Himself; and then rose from the dead, and I believed it.
That was over 60 years ago, and the only thing I've really been sorry for since then were the times when I went my own way and paid the consequences in my life and the lives of those I loved. But today I serve Jesus Christ each day. And, while some days are very difficult, and some seasons are excruciatingly painful, and I'm not yet perfect, I wouldn't trade my Independence Day for any other day in my life because I'm never alone!
"I Will Never Leave You Or Forsake You" - God's Forever Faithfulness
Jesus is always right there with me. The Bible says it. I believe it. And, I feel His presence.
Better yet, because Jesus left Heaven for me and allowed men to nail him to a piece of wood in my place, my independence day here will pale beside My Independence Day in Heaven. True Independence from sin that will last for all of eternity.
Beth Goehringer
JOYFUL EXPRESSIONS PHOTOGRAPHY ART
PS: To learn a little more of what I learned from my Independence Day, follow this link to the Wood Cross.