"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young..." 1 Timothy 4:12

My first recollection of a "Date With Destiny"-

At the age of 5, I was young and vibrant.  I lived with my parents and two siblings (an older brother and younger sister) in Round Rock, Texas in a small neighborhood.  We attended a church called "First Family," which was pastored by Mickey and Marianne Patterson.  My family was dedicated to attending church almost every Wednesday night and Sunday morning (and many days in between).  We made many friends (many that we are still friends with today), and built many memories while being a part of this church.  I don't quite remember all the details of everything at that age and time (because it was so long ago), but I remember one particular Sunday morning service like it was yesterday.

The pastor was preaching about God's healing power and and how God was still able and willing to heal people in our day and time.  At the end of the service, he gave an altar call for those who needed healing in some way.  I remember watching several people go forward; but one lady who went forward (Mrs. Hailey) caught my attention.  To this day, I don't know why, but I decided to get up and walk down the aisle to pray for her.  I remember laying my small hand on her back.

I don't remember exactly what I prayed, but I do remember that in some simple way I asked God to heal her.  I remember saying something like, "God, I know you care about what hurts us...." After my short, simple prayer I went back to my seat near my mom and dad.  After service was over, we all went home and continued on with our day.

Shortly thereafter, (I'm not sure if it was the same day or the next day-my mom probably knows better than I do) my mom received a call from Mrs. Hailey.  I remember my mom calling me over to her after she hung up the phone.  She described (as simply as she could) what Mrs. Hailey had just shared with her over the phone. 

She informed my mom that for YEARS she had dealt with excruciating back pain, until that past Sunday; the Sunday that I had prayed for her.  She described feeling a small hand on her lower back (which was mine) and she felt a warm, electric feeling go up her spine.  With tears, she told my mom that at that moment (and every moment after) she hadn't felt any more pain in her back; God had miraculously healed her.

At the time, I was so amazed.  I remember feeling (even at age 5) that God had an incredible plan for my life. Little did I know, this was just the beginning of many more "Dates with Destiny."