Jesus Loves Me

by Donna Hoffman
(Browns Valley, Minnesota USA )

The roots of me being with the Lord I believe started in South Carolina. I remember going to South Carolina for the first time in my life. I was three years old, the only child and the first grandchild. My 2 aunts are around 3 and 4 years older than me.


My Dad drove us to SC in around 1962 or 1963, It took us a couple of days to get there with stopping to eat, stretching our legs, and of course run to the bathroom and I mean RUN.

I would lay in the back window of my Dad and Mom's Studebaker car and soak up the sun. I remember how excited I was going to see my Grandparents and Uncles and Aunts on my Mother's side of the family.

My mom said when we got close to Indiana and stopped to get gas, the car attendant at the filling station came up to the car window and when he spoke his southern draw I laughed so hard I cried.

We arrived in South Carolina late at night and I remember the deep embrace of my Grandmother's arms holding me tight saying, "My baby girl" "I finally see my grand baby girl." She told me over and over again how much she loved me.

Being the only child, I loved being with my two aunts. They were like sisters to me. I didn't ever want to leave. We moved into a little house on Holy's Dairy. My Dad loved his job there. My Mom was a stay at home mom, which I thought was great.

I remember one day I was laying in bed with my Grandma, and two Aunts. Gospel music was on. Grandma stopped reading her Bible to us and started clapping her hands to the music and she was so.......HAPPY !!! That left such an impression on me.

I believe I felt the Lord and all his love and warmth affection when I was 9 or 10 at a Baptist Church in Amery Wisconsin, the town were I was born.

My Mom and Dad did not bring me to church very often. All I can remember is once with my Mom and once with my Dad and Grandpa in Wisconin.

I turned away from my Christian faith for a while. Which I would never recommend. I knew my Jesus was always near but I was that wandering lost sheep away from the flock.

When you are alone out there away from the flock, harm, destruction, and strife comes your way BIG TIME.

So once you have the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior in your heart, don't ever let go and wander off, because it hurts way too bad. The old devil was laughing all the way to HELL with me wandering around like a lost little sheep.

I know my Jesus Loves Me and Oh how He Loves Me. He is so forgiving. So why would you want to do any thing that would require you to have to ask forgiveness for any thing. Sin hurts so bad. You cannot restore yourself. Only GOD CAN RESTORE YOUR MIND BODY AND SOUL. Pray and Praise our Lord Jesus Daily.

Donna Hoffman

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Linda's Response to Donna's Story

Hi Donna,

Thanks for sharing your story with us. It's wonderful that your grandma was such a good example and blessing to you by reading the Bible and listening to Gospel songs.

After I got saved, I remember looking back at the people in my life who were Christians. Even though I hadn't accepted Jesus as my personal Saviour back then, I recall those people standing out like "lights in the darkness." I didn't understand what it was all about back then... but when I got saved, those people's faces flashed back into my mind and then I understood.

I wish I had of received Christ in those days. It would have saved me a lot of grief and self willed living! I would have had the peace of knowing I was on my way to Heaven too and not been afraid to die.

I think it's important to "know" the day that you accepted Jesus. Not everyone will remember the exact day or time, but every Christian who is truly Born Again should be able to point back to a time when they remember asking Jesus to forgive them of their sins and ask Him to take them to Heaven when they die... Knowing that they cannot get to heaven by their own good works. All of us need to trust in the Saviour. The Bible says, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Our punishment is death and hell for our sins. That's what we deserve. But by the Grace of God, anyone can have eternal life with Him if they acknowledge their sinful condition and ask Jesus to save them from Hell and give them a home in Heaven some day.

Why would anyone turn down such a wonderful and free gift from the Father?

Linda Pepin