I hesitated as I stood to my feet; I looked around to see if anyone was watching. With deliberate slowness I walked toward the man who could have easily been mistaken for George Clooney’s brother.  As our eyes locked, I questioned whether I was doing the right thing. His arms reached out to embrace me and  whispered, “This will be a night to remember.” Hand in hand, we walked toward a corridor lined with empty rooms.

He opened the door to one of the rooms and I heard him ask someone to bring me a drink. I fumbled nervously with my purse and found a seat next to the window. I welcomed the cold drink and gulped it down in a matter of seconds. What in the world was I thinking when I told my friend I would attend this conference. I never expected to find myself in a room with a total stranger. This was so unlike me.

Yet, at some point during the conference I had let down my guard. And now I was alone in a room with a man I didn’t know.  I wondered if he had a family like me. But before I could inquire, he asked me to kneel down next to my chair and close my eyes. Little did I know a life-changing moment was about to ensue.  Something that would change the dynamics of my marriage, my family; and impact my future in ways never imagined.

And then, I heard a door open and a familiar voice rung out, “Please, pastor, don’t start without me. I want to be a part of this life-changing moment.” It was the voice of my friend, the one who had invited me to attend the conference. She threw her arms around me and joyfully shouted, “I am so happy for you. I know this was a difficult decision, but life is too short to not have a love affair with Jesus.”

With my friend next to me, I prayed the sinner’s prayer and asked Jesus into my heart. It has been a love affair ever since.

I am forever grateful for the pastor who ushered me into that quiet room to share the gospel of Christ. When our eyes locked that day, he knew I was about to enter into a love affair with Jesus, the King of Kings. He was just one of the many pastors who had volunteered to work the Christian conference and counsel those who wanted to know Jesus. 

And for the record, the pastor is happily married with three kids and continues to reach out and embrace anyone who wants to have a love affair with Jesus. He is a true man of God.

SIDEBAR: This devotional story is shared based on events as told by a third-party.