My Jesus Story

My Jesus Story

By Jenni Ingram
First Baptist Church, Gantt

Everything changed with the birth of a child.” Yes, this statement can and should remind us of the birth of Jesus found in Luke 2, but in this particular instance, the story I’m about to tell is about the birth of my first granddaughter.

My daughter married at 18 and was pregnant at 19. We were estranged and although I saw her around town, we did not have the relationship I had envisioned when she was a child. I prayed every day for her health, safety and happiness, but only after learning of her pregnancy did I repent of my part of the problem and ask for God’s forgiveness. I also asked Him for the opportunity to speak with her and ask her forgiveness.

This is what Scripture tells us to do in Mark 11:25: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

The closer the baby’s arrival came, the more we began to heal our relationship. I was blessed to be there when my beautiful, perfect granddaughter was born. I had never known a more perfect, pure, all-consuming love. I believe God gave me a taste of how He feels about us. That is why He was so willing to give His life for us — that immeasurable love.

I would gladly give my life for my granddaughters. Yes, He has now blessed me with two, and they, along with my daughter and son-in-law, live 83 feet from me so I get to be with them every day. See — God heals, God provides and God restores.