This was a short, but sweet journal entry!  I am one of those who didn’t gradually come to Jesus.  I was desperate when I heard His call and responded within two or three days.  I didn’t know He had been calling me for years because I wasn’t interested, and I didn’t recognize His voice. Sad but true.  I made my decision in the afternoon on May 17, 1975, and it was the most significant day in my life.

From the journal . . . . May 2000

Jesus, Happy Anniversary!  I have been committed to You for 25 years now.  What a blessing for me!  Thank You that You came when You did. 

And I Believe God Said:

Thank you for responding to Me.

Thank You for initiating things.  Wow!  Lord, I printed Your words without thinking. 

Normally, when I sense God is speaking to me while journaling, I intentionally switch from cursive writing to printing.  However, this time I automatically switched to printing.  FYI: More about this on my homepage; About the Journal.

Was that You, Lord?

Yes. I had been calling you and you finally responded. 

Isaiah 41:9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are My servant.’   For I have chosen you
Isaiah 43:1 But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.
    O Israel, the One who formed you says,
“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.
    I have called you by name; you are Mine
    and will not throw you away.

I don’t need you, but I want you.  I love you and it gives Me pleasure when you respond to My love. 

Psalm 50:9-12 But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens.
¹⁰ For all the animals of the forest are Mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.
¹¹ I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are Mine.
¹² If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is Mine and everything in it.
 
Jer, 31:3 Long ago the Lord said to Israel: “I have loved you, My people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to Myself.

Psalm 18:19 He led me to a place of safety; He rescued me because He delights in me.

In the beginning of this entry I believe the Lord said, “I had been calling you and you finally responded.”  I think He was referring to His call for me to come to Him initially but I’m not totally sure. Maybe He meant He had been currently trying to get me to listen. I know He wants to talk to us.  

Psalm 27:8 My heart has heard You say, “Come and talk with Me.”  And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

Psalm 50:15 Then call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you,
    and you will give Me glory.”

I’m sure we can all relate to having the experience of anxiously trying to contact someone, but the response may not come for hours, days, or weeks later. When they do, we may say “You finally responded!”  I hate the thought of the Lord wanting to communicate and me not responding. 

“Oh Lord, give us ears to hear and hearts to respond.”