Almost!!

                                                                                                     By: Maxine M.

Jill was a young vivacious girl, fresh out of school; the world she was ready to face

Armed with her new knowledge, she thought, the thinking of the “older” generation she could replace

Her dreams and ambitions were great, new adventures she wanted to embrace

Church had never been her way of life, only a few times to Sunday school

Grandpa had read to her Bible stories & stressed that all should live by the “Golden Rule”

Then one day a friend invited her to a downtown tent church Service; Jill thought that sounded cool

She liked the opening music; a modern, fast paced, contemporary beat

The lyrics spoke about Jesus, how only HE could make one’s life complete

How all the trials & problems in your life & future, FAITH in Him could defeat

The speaker seemed to be charming, with a winsome friendly smile

He read from the Bible how God just spoke and a perfect world He would compile

But that, by DISOBEDIENCE, sin came into existence…man’s perfection it would defile

He talked about how God the Father sent His own perfect Son to redeem every fallen Soul

That Jesus came to heal the sick, teach God’s will; for man to believe on Him was the goal

He spread love and compassion, showing that forgiveness was possible through His sacrificial role

That He was beaten, suffered tremendous pain and humiliation, crucified…hung on a cross to die

When He rose again on the 3^rd Day, death was overcome, SALVATION for us He then could apply

Because when His death and resurrection is accepted by faith, our sin is covered…deliverance buy

So when we ASK Jesus to be OUR Saviour, all His promises are ours to claim

That no matter who we are, race or gender, old or young, rich or poor, His love is all the same

Once we are His, we will willingly live life to bring Glory to HIS name

Jill listened intently, felt a strong tug at her heart when the Pastor gave an alter call

That because of Jesus’ sacrifice, anyone could be SAVED from man’s fall

For those who wanted Him in their life to come forward; come, come one and all

Jill thought, but I’m so young, another time I can do that…along life’s way

It may STOP me from experiencing whatever I may want to do or say

Didn’t the speaker say ANYTIME one can simply call out & pray?

So she sat still, trying to calm her inner feelings, just put them aside

Stifling the conviction she felt, letting any sense of guilt mentally slide

Bringing to mind all those future desires, thinking it was a safe place to hide

“Let’s go,” she said to the friend, “so we can beat the rush out of the parking lot”

Thus, as many WERE going forward, she left behind the message the night had taught

The closing music summed up what Jill’s decision had wrought…

Almost persuaded how to believe

Almost persuaded Christ to receive

Some Souls seem to say

Go Spirit, go Thy way

Some more CONVENIENT day

On Thee I’ll call

Almost persuaded, harvest is past

Almost persuaded, doom comes at last

Almost cannot avail

Almost is but to fail

Sad, sad the bitter wail

Almost…but still lost

Jill tried to change the mood on the back home ride

Her friend seemed especially quiet, “I thought you’d go forward,” she finally cried

“There’s plenty of time for that stuff later,” Jill said. “In the meantime, I’ll take life in stride”

By now it was raining, the road becoming slick and it was one of the year’s darkest nights

The girls were driving way too fast, which always great danger invites

Suddenly the car skidded, the last thing Jill saw was the semi’s fast approaching headlights…