Feb. 15 – Janis’s Story

Lent is a time to remember and reflect.  So we’ve asked a number of people to share their stories with us.  Today, we hear from Janis Carlson, one of our Deacon Team members…

I cannot recall a time when I did not know about Jesus. My parental home was a God-fearing, God believing wonderful home. The atmosphere in our home left no doubt that Jesus Christ is God’s gift for salvation. Yet, knowing about the Lord is not knowing Him. When I was seven years old, I came home from Sunday School talking about faith as much as a child like me was capable. After talking my mom was with me as I prayed to accept Jesus as my Savior. However, I did not have a clear memory as the time passed. Many friends had dates written in their Bibles recording the time they put their trust in Christ. I had no date. It did cause me some concern. Yet, I knew I believed. I knew Jesus promise was true. So later when someone showed me in the Bible Timothy’s story — Paul said in 2 Timothy Chapter 1 — “I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.” that’s my story, I thought, just change the names of grandmother and mother. What a happiness I knew.

Years have passed. There have been ups and downs but always a steady sense of God’s love and powerful keeping me in His care. The journey of growth continued and does so today.