Mixed Emotions Within This Realtor!

As co-executor of my Dad's estate, I am now marketing his home, the sale of which will conclude another historical marker in the life of this former science teacher, turned pastor, now Realtor.

It will have been 53 years around 9:00 tonight, since this old science teacher, then only 25 walked through this front door a very wounded individual.

Although raised by this amazing dad, I had long veered from my spiritual heritage and had begun reaping a harvest sawn somewhat the prodigal.

Madly enraptured by my first love, I had married during the summer of my sophomore year in college at only 18. That long waited romantic adventure would be swiftly ended at age 21 due to a tragic suicide! My response was near addiction to alcohol.

For some reason on January 3, 1973, before returning to a classroom assignment somehow sovereignly salvaged, I was drawn to my father's house. It was my first night of sobriety since the Christmas holidays began.

As I entered his foyer, the door then always unlocked, I was greeted by the sound of conversation, my name immediately recognized, my curiosity peeked!

There was no other car outside, no visitors; perhaps he was on the phone?

When I entered the Living Room, indeed he was on the "phone", his direct line to my heavenly Father!

There he was on his knees by the couch! His prayers apparently had drawn me home.

I was still skeptical given my hardened soul. I walked a little closer, then brazenly layed my hand on the shoulder of this 43 year old man of God.

I needed his attention, yet he never moved, rather continued his somewhat mild but verbal intercession.

I think he knew something was going on in my heart!

Well trained in the sciences, I paused to quickly process the physical dynamic flowing into my hand through the shoulder that I was still touching.

This fluid like sensation radiated throughout my body. Shocked and stunned, I stood staring at my feet, assuming perhaps it would find exit through my shoes, perhaps even visibly. It was that convincing.

Then came the aHa!, maybe God was real?

Looking out of the large picture window in the home which I now have been entrusted to sell, I spoke words now forever embedded in my mind, "God, if you really exist and you can change my life, I'll give it to you!"

Immediately I heard words also long embedded in my psyche, the ROI on the investment of Lillian Hutchens, the Sunday School teacher who bribed her junior high listeners with expensive chocolates!

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you can be saved." I would later find those very words in Romans 10:9-10.

My response, no eyes closed, no church music, just standing there gazing out of my Dad's picture window, "God, I think that's what I doing, I must be saved!"

Seriously, in that instant, my life forever changed!

I am grateful for the love and mercy of both my heavenly Father's! I say both because Dad is now also there!