By Claudia Koenig
We are longtime friends with one of the kindest women living in the DC area. She is the widow of a famous former baseball player and Congressman and was close friends with two U.S. presidents. She is an older woman who loves God and has His wisdom. Now in her 90’s, she is still very involved and active in the political arena in DC. The Lord has given her long life!
She has been reading the salvation stories that are in the weekly news report and has become very enthusiastic about sharing Christ with those with whom she associates and with her neighbors. She is always very encouraging to me about God saving souls through my life and has the wisest comments to make that teach me about life and the people of God. At times, my husband and I treat her to dinner before church. She loves a particular dish, and we are so delighted to watch her feast over it!
On one occasion, she and two of her friends joined us. We were all in conversation about politics and the biblical events of these days and were having sweet fellowship about God’s Word.
She always listens very intently and has the deepest insight as she takes her time to listen carefully before making a comment or statement. Her responses are always very wise!
During this dinner, I was focused on the young woman who was our waitress. She was very attentive to each one of our needs. I knew in my heart that her soul was ready to be reaped for salvation. I waited to present Jesus to her until I knew that she could take the time to listen.
The time went by and still no opportunity arose to talk with her. We now had to leave the restaurant to get to church on time, so I had to take courage and approach the young woman.
As soon as she received the bill and payment, I stood up right in front of her. I said, “I watched how you cared over our time during dinner. This was very sweet of you.” She thanked me. I didn’t have much time before everyone started to walk toward the door to leave.
I approached the young woman very closely and said, “With that caring heart of yours, I want to tell you about the One who loves you. Would you like to know who He is?” She immediately said, “Yes, I would.” I said, “He is the Son of God. His name is Jesus. He loves you so much that He gave His life for you on the cross. Would you like to give your life to Him?” She was now very focused on our conversation. I took her hands in mine and said, “Let’s pray.” She drew closer, closed her eyes, bowed her head, and gave her life to Jesus! We hugged each other, and she thanked me.
I didn’t say anything to our friend, nor her friends. On the way out, our friend asked what the waitress and I had talked about. I said, “She gave her life to Jesus Christ.”
My friend said, “Claudia, do you know that not just anyone can do that? When do you ever see someone go up to a person so simply at a restaurant and that person get saved?”
I said, “It is not anything that I do. It is Jesus, the soul Savior! And any Christian can tell anyone about Jesus. They just have to do it. With her arms tightly in mine, wide-eyed and with a big smile, she said, “We can talk to people about Jesus, but you do the closing.”
I know that it is Jesus who starts and ends the conversation, and that it is the Holy Spirit who does the opening and the closing! I also know that someone else has already been laboring over the souls with whom I speak, so their heart is ready to believe!
“Abba, Father, thank You for the salvation stories that encourage others to talk about Your Son.
Please give them boldness and courage.”
“Jesus, thank You that you heard this woman’s heart concerning talking about You and witnessing— that it is simple to just speak of You. You are alive and still saving souls!”
“Holy Spirit, thank You that You put words in our mouths to start and end a conversation to tell a lost soul about Jesus.”
Should be placed as the first one.I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Acts 25:19
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. John 14:26
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
All scripture is KJV.