Here is another story from the latest Alpha class. Four people have chosen Christ in the last ten days. Or in this case, we don't know the day but the result is certain. Here is a note to Cheryl Scott, Alpha team leader.
I just wanted to take a moment to tell you the impact that Alpha has had on my life. Several months ago, my wife Shay had started to attend the Alpha class at Indian Creek. She asked me to go, but she pretty much knew the answer was going to be a resounding NO. Besides, having her go with the children would give me an evening to myself, or an opportunity to work longer on the evenings when she was preoccupied.
She completed the classes, but never said much about her experiences. I continued to see emails from Pastor Gary come through on our home computer, but really didn’t pay much attention.
I grew up in a family that didn’t place much emphasis on church, religion or GOD. As I grew into an adult, I continued to keep faith at an arms distance, although I was occasionally talked into going to church by my wife. She would continue to tell me “a family that prays together stays together”… and that was enough to get me to go to church for a week.
After completion of her Alpha class, I was glad to get the week on a “normal” schedule… but horrified by the question when she decided to ask me to go with her to the next class. I cowered at the thought of having to spend 10 weeks with a bunch of strangers talking about the bible and religion. I never believed in God or Jesus, I thought that I was firmly planted in my beliefs that they were just stories, and the stories were only to teach a lesson, and not really based in reality or history. I would have been classified as a “Atheist”, and had no intention to learn why I was wrong.
When Shay asked me to go, I could hear in her voice that this was very important for her. I said yes. Not because I really wanted to learn, but because I love my wife and it was something that was important to her. As the first class approached, I kept telling myself, “Free food, I love my wife and am doing it for her”.
We were in the “Light Blue” table group, with Lisa Aguire as our table leader. At the first session, my wife pretty much laid it out to the entire group that I was not a believer, and I was terrified at the thoughts of being judged and had visions of other table members standing on their chairs to declare to the 150 people in the room that “HERE IS THE NON BELIEVER!” Much to my amazement, no one pointed and screamed.
Throughout the 10 weeks, I pretty much kept quiet. I listened to the conversations, participated when absolutely necessary, but overall was just a fly on the wall. I enjoyed the great jokes, ate the food, listened and learned. I even started to plan on Sunday as being a church day. After a few weeks of attending, I started noticing a change… I was suddenly compelled to do “something”. We volunteered for the church’s volunteer day and we spent a whole Saturday working at a transitional housing facility. We took the truck and equipment from our landscaping company and worked the entire day. Oddly enough, it was fulfilling to help and volunteer our efforts.
I can’t tell you the time, day, week or even the month that it happened, but God must have snuck into my life. I can only notice it now, as I look back, but my heart has changed. My relationship with my children and my wife has changed. I had heard many stories from different people stating the “exact time” when they felt God enter their lives, but I’m not one of those people. All I can describe is that he must have snuck in the back door and taken up residence in my heart. I had started Alpha with a thought that I couldn’t possibly be worthy of God’s love, I have said too many bad things, done too many bad things, and forsaken him at every opportunity. I thought that the doubt I had, must mean that I’m not a believer.
I don’t know when God entered my heart and life. I only know that he did. I look at everything differently and can’t figure out why. My wife and I are more loving to each other. We are more compassionate with each other and more thoughtful. I find old scars in my mind and heart to be gone, resentment to be vanquished and a peace that I have never experienced.
Pastor Gary asked to testimonials on the last night of Alpha. I felt that maybe my story wasn’t “good” enough. The other speakers had far more difficult situations in their lives. My story wouldn’t possibly be moving enough for me to share. My wife cried. I thought at first that she was moved by the other stories… but I think she was mostly moved by the fact that she felt knew God entered my heart. Our marriage is very complex. We have a blended family with 6 children. We have always loved each other, but never really had that “tight, respectful and loving” relationship. For the first time in 7 years, I know truly what it is to love and honor my wife. I know how to be thankful for what I have, and gaze adoringly at my beautiful children. God saved my life, God saved my marriage. Maybe we would have gone through our lives and tolerated our journey together, but now, we can look forward to ENJOYING the journey together. God has made me a better man, better father and better husband. I know now that it is not enough to just make money, do the chores, or play the role of Dad and husband, I know what it means now to do all those things with the love of God in my heart.
I would like to tell Pastor Gary thank-you from the bottom of my heart. Not only have you helped me to save the things I cherish, but you have taught me to cherish the things most important in my life. I may not be a outspoken Christian, but I will do all I can to be the best Christian I can.
Thank you.
T.C. Kim
Princor Registered Representative
Financial Services Representative
Principal Financial Group
7300 W 110th St Suite 620
Overland Park, KS 66210
Office: 913-317-6611 x 3508
Mobile: 913-284-8765
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