I’m a born-again child of God

 “I’m a born-again child of God, but, pastor, I have wandered away from the Lord. What can I do to restore my fellowship with my Savior?”

 Henry Grady, the popular editor of the Atlanta Constitution, attended a YMCA revival meeting back in those days when YMCA meant “Young Men’s Christian Association.” On the last night of the meeting all of the revival speakers and leaders were called to the front. They joined hands and were about to sing, “Blessed be The Tie that Binds our Hearts in Christian Love.”

 One of the men said, “Just a moment. Mr. Grady, would you join hands with us as we sing?”

 Mr. Grady shook his head no. He folded his arms, lowered his head as they sang the song. When they finished singing he walked out of the building. On the next morning Henry Grady called the YMCA leaders into his newspaper office and said, “Gentlemen, I apologize for last night. But I couldn’t help it. My mother led me to the Lord years ago. I am a child of God.

 “But I am not now in fellowship with God. I have been so busy making money, running a newspaper, and travelling all over the country that I have lost my contact with God. I have stopped going to church, stopped reading my Bible. Yes, I am a Christian, but I am out of fellowship with God.”

 The YMCA leaders prayed with Henry Grady then left. Henry Grady then walked through the newspaper office and said, “I’m leaving. I’ll not tell you where I’m going nor when I’ll be back.”

 He caught the train to Rome, Georgia. He got off the train and walked to his old home. His mother was still living in the old house, but his father was dead. Henry Grady knocked on the door. His mother was thrilled to see him! He had been so busy with the newspaper that she had not seen him very much.

 Henry Grady said, “Mama, I want you to treat me just like you did when I was a little boy, back when I first got saved. I want you to pray at the table. I want you to read the Bible. At night when I go to bed, I want you to tuck me in. Then I want you to kneel down beside my bed and pray the same way you did when I was a boy.”

 His mother said, “Well, son, I’ll do whatever you say.”

 Henry Grady stayed at the house. Day after day his mother read the Word of God to him. They sat and talked about the Bible, about what he should be and what he should do. At night she would pray by the side of his bed then tuck him in and bid him good night.

 After two weeks Henry Grady walked in and said, “Mother, it’s settled. I’m back where I used to be. I’m right with God. I want God to have His way in my life. I am now surrendered to Him. Everything is all right. Thank you, Mother.”

 They had one final prayer together and he then left for Atlanta. They say the latter days of Henry Grady were his greatest days.

  Does this story ring a bell with you? Heed these words:

You are older, sorer broken,
You are tired of self, ‘tis true;
But return to where you left Him—
He is waiting there for you. Anon

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Tom Swartzwelder was born again at the age of nine in an old-fashioned revival meeting. Tom received his B.A. from Tennessee Temple University and his M. Div from Luther Rice Seminary. He has pastored for nearly forty years in both bi-vocational and full-time roles. He provides practical how-to-do-ministry resources for the disciples of Jesus Christ at http://www.godsgreenhouse.net. Tom’s latest book is “God Speaks–Today!”