- 5/19/2013 Shepard designs dream room
- 5/19/2013 Sue Jolly Award will honor student Mock Trial Team member
- 5/19/2013 Anglican Church to host homeless meeting
- 5/19/2013 North Augusta bookings
- 5/19/2013 Suspect sought in theft of Walmart cell phones
- 5/19/2013 STEMfest exposes students to principles of science, technology
- 5/19/2013 North Augusta crime blotter
- 5/19/2013 North Augusta High School hosts 309 student runners
- 5/19/2013 Predators fall to Knights in walk-off fashion
- 5/12/2013 Predators stumble against Knights, face uphill battle
- 5/12/2013 Lady Predators have to win to stay in
- 5/12/2013 Phil Schaefer reflects on North Augusta history
- 5/12/2013 North Augusta golf team’s season ends in Sumter
- 5/12/2013 NAHS grad named SEC Men’s Golf Freshman of the Year
- 5/12/2013 World’s No. 1 disc golfer pays a visit to Hippodrome
- 5/19/2013 Column: Downtown developments: Vacations less and less important
- 5/19/2013 Wrinkles: Recognizing mothers and angels
- 5/19/2013 Phragments from Phyllis: A mother’s a mother for the rest of her life
- 5/19/2013 Letter: Bring the troops home from Afghanistan
- 5/19/2013 Column: New PASS exams intended to benefit student performance
- 5/19/2013 Chaplain's corner: In his hand
- 5/12/2013 Column: The best of both borders
- 5/12/2013 Chaplain’s Corner: A mother’s joy
- 5/12/2013 Downtown developments: Bad customer service, part two
- 5/12/2013 Letter: Riverkeeper is a benefit to North Augustans
News from the Front Porch
Gina could not believe her ears when she pushed the play button on the answering machine and heard the jovial female voice. She had to listen again to make sure that the name and voice lined up. The last time she heard this voice it was cursing her, and now the voice was kindly asking to come over.
A chill went through Gina as she remembered the poison this person had aimed at her for the last several years. Should she give her another chance? What if this woman wanted to come and bully her again or harm her? Gina didn't have any hard feelings because she had forgiven this woman long ago. She felt that she should give her another chance and called her to say it was OK to come over.
As the appointed time approached, anxiety threatened to overcome Gina. However, she felt a deep fountain of peace that swelled up and washed the fear away.
When the doorbell rang, it seemed to shake Gina's soul. She said aloud to herself, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," and held tight to the deep peace she felt inside.
The woman came in and after a bit of small talk cut to the chase.
"I have been treated terribly by someone recently and realized that the abuse I suffered was the same thing I had done to you. I am going to a new church and recognized that even though I have been in church most of my life, I had never invited Jesus Christ into my life. I have been completely full of myself and, well, I've given myself to Christ. I have lied about you, listened to lies about you and treated you very wrong. I am awfully sorry.
Can you forgive me?" the woman said.
Gina felt like a child that had just received a longed-for present.
"Yes, I forgive you!" Gina said.
She took the woman's hand and praised God for all his blessings. After a wonderful visit and catching up, the woman left.
Gina pinched herself to make sure she was not dreaming, and was so happy. Her persistent prayers over a long time had been answered beyond her wildest dreams. This is a true story.
"Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him and He will help you. He will make your innocence as clear as the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act." Psalm 37: 4-7 NLT
Dianne Brady is an author and speaker and can be reached at gracekeeper@comcast.net.
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