A nursery teacher says that a decision she took more than 50 years ago was the most important she ever made.
Brenda Stenning was brought up in Worthing, West Sussex, by loving and caring parents.
“I was well provided for in every way,” she says, “except that no-one ever told me about Jesus.”
In those days Worthing had too much seaweed for it to be a pleasant place to play on the beach and bathe, so she went along the coast to Lancing.
Noticing a group of children on the sand, she went to investigate, and discovered that a ‘Beach Mission’ was being run by some local Christians.
At the end of the activities, one of the leaders said that anyone who wanted to join the Scripture Union Bible Reading scheme should form a queue.
“I thought that sounded interesting, so I joined in.”
When she reached the head of the queue the lady running the beach mission, Dorothy Middleton, asked Brenda if she was a Christian.
“I hadn’t really thought about it, so I said, ‘I think so’.”
Dorothy said gently, “Let me explain to you how you can be sure.”
She opened her Bible at the Gospel of John, chapter 3 and read verse 16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
She explained to Brenda that sin had separated us from a holy God, but He loves us so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for us.
She said if we are truly sorry and thankful, and believe Jesus is our Saviour, then we can belong to Him and have everlasting life.
Brenda still clearly recalls what happened.
She said: “At that moment I believed, we prayed, and I became a child of God, a Christian.”
She started going to church, joined the Scripture Union, and began reading her Bible daily.
On her return to school she found teachers and other pupils also following the Lord Jesus; she joined the Christian Union and later went to Christian camps.
She says: “All this happened over 50 years ago, but I believe it was the most important decision I have ever made, and I am thankful to God for being so faithful through all the years.
“In the ups and downs, He has never left me, always loved me, and been willing to forgive me.
“In all the changes in life He has remained the same, and faithful to all He has promised.”