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Jesus knew the day, even if I didn’t. He’d set that day into motion and knew what would happen. Sometimes I picture him smiling on me that day.

Vacation Bible school was being held at a church about two miles away from our house. My big sister’s friend went there and she invited us to come. I always wanted to go anywhere my big sister went, even though she made it clear she’d rather have me not there. We laugh about that now.

We got to dress up, play with toys, go outside and have snacks. A woman who lived across the street had told me all about Jesus, and her girls were at Vacation Bible School too. I loved being with my friends.

We sat around in a circle, listening to our teacher tell us a story about Jesus, and how we needed him in our heart. I had heard about Jesus, but I knew I didn’t have Him in my heart. How did I get Jesus in my heart?

The question stayed in my mind all through the story time; and when the teacher was done and said we could all go outside, I didn’t move. When the other children were gone she turned around and saw me.

“How do I get Jesus in my heart?” I asked.

We went outside and a man came and sat next to me on the grass. I remember clearly the voices of the children playing, the sunshine warming my head, and the smell of grass beneath me. The nice man told me all I needed to get Jesus in my heart was to invite Him in. Then he asked me if I wanted to invite Jesus in. I nodded.

Together we prayed a prayer. Then the nice man smiled at me and said, “Jesus is in your heart now.”

• If you would like to ask Jesus into your heart, pray this prayer with me:

Jesus, I believe that you came to earth and died for my sins, and that you rose again. I accept you as my savior and ask you come into my heart Lord. I welcome you into my life as my savior and my Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

• A good thing to do after asking Jesus into your heart is get a Bible and start reading it. If you can’t afford a Bible there are many churches who give them away free or you can find online Bibles.

• Pray and ask the Lord to show you which church He would have you go to. You may need to go visit a few and see which one seems right for you.

Jesus knew that day I would accept Him as my savior. And even though our family moved away and my parents didn’t go to church, there was always something special about Jesus as I was growing up. Even when I went through some terrible times and followed a family member’s footsteps into things of the occult, God soon called me out of that. Jesus never let go of me, He never gave up. He called me out of the darkness, into his great light.

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness (John 12:46 NIV).