By Pastor Naomi Mitchell
For the Carter County Times
A little girl stood at the door of Claredon Street Baptist Church in Boston, Massachusetts. When asked what she needed, she asked to become a member of the church.
“You’re too young to join the church, why don’t you go home and talk it over with your mother first.”
But the little girl shook her head, “She does not know the Lord.”
The deacons then brought her to their pastor, Adoniram Judson (A.J.) Gordon. He smiled and guided her into a small chair beside him.
“Now, my dear, what’s’ your name?”
“Annie Graham, sir, and I go to your Sunday school.”
“Ah, I see. And who is your teacher?”
“Miss B. She’s very kind to me.”
“And you want to join the church?”
“Yes, sir, she replied.”
“How old are you, Annie?”
She said, “I’m 10.”
“It’s not common for us to admit someone so young. We’ve never done it before. Do you understand what it means to join a church?”
“Yes sir, I do, she said.”
“What do you think it means?”
“It means I belong to Jesus, and I want to follow Him and be part of His family.”
“And why do you want to join the church?”
“Because I love Jesus, and I want to do what He wants me to do.”
“That’s a beautiful answer, Annie. You’ve thought about this carefully, haven’t you?”
“Yes, sir, I know it’s important.”
“You understand more than many adults do, my dear. Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Annie slipped off the chair and stood close to Dr. Gordon’s knee. She was looking up at him with her huge eyes.
“You said last Sunday, sir, that the lambs should be in the fold.”
“I did, my child. And it’s certainly not for us to keep them out.”
He placed his hand on her shoulder. “Go home now, Annie. I’ll speak with your mother and make some arrangement.” Annie then quietly left the room.
Dr. Gordon followed up with Annie’s teacher and family. After confirming the reports from Miss B, Annie was baptized the very next week. For a while, he heard little of her, aside from occasional updates that she was doing well.
Then, about a year later, the news came. She suddenly passed away from an illness. Dr. Gordon was called to attend the funeral.
As Dr. Gordon approached the house, he was met by a large crowd of mourners that slowed his steps. While pausing, his eyes fell on a young boy sitting on the doorstep. Tears were streaming down his face.
“Did you know Annie Graham?” he asked the preacher. “She came to see me two or three times a week. She was always bringing me something, like a book, or even an apple. It wasn’t the Sunday teachers who led me to faith in Christ, it was Annie. She’d sit here and read the Bible to me.” His voice broke as he added, “Now she is gone and there’s no one left to help me. My mom’s dead, my dad’s drunk, and the sunshine left with Annie.”
Dr. Gordon rested his hand on the boy’s shoulder, “I’ll come and see you soon.”
Then, with a heavy heart, he moved through the crowd and into the house. Inside, he found a woman drying her tears while a small child hid his face in her skirts, sobbing.
“Was Annie a relative of yours, he asked the woman?” (Read Part 2 of the rest of the story next week)
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
