His Grace: Received and Extended by AJERE ABIGAIL INIOLUWA

It was the fourth week already, and I had not spoken to Isaac yet. In those four weeks, the urge had been persistent; “Talk to him, let him know about My grace”. But anytime I was close to talking to him, I turn back, not knowing the perfect things to say, or if I was sure God was leading me to it.
The first time I had felt the nudge to speak to Isaac, I was surprised; shocked even. I had not been really close with him since I left for the university, and when I had seen him in church that Sunday, he looked different, like he was struggling. I understood this because I had been there before. His look scared me. Later that day, I randomly thought of it and wondered what might be wrong with him. Academics, maybe, but it seemed to have been more than that; like a weight was pulling him. I really wasn’t happy with the way he looked. Then the Holy Spirit had interrupted my thoughts.
“You know you can always pray for him, and speak to him about Jesus, right?”
It sounded funny at first, but later I knew He meant it. I did not think I could do it. What would I even say? Yes, I could pray for him, but speaking to him did not look possible. So, I prayed. I prayed that God would lead Isaac towards Him and let him experience the Father’s love and grace. Anytime it had crossed my mind, I said a word of prayer fir Isaac.
I had been praying for Isaac for the past four weeks. But in those weeks, I still hadn’t found the courage to speak to him, or the words to say. It was another Saturday and as I sat on my bed praying that night, I was reminded of it again: The next day at church, I could meet Isaac and speak to him.
“Lord,” I held out my hands. “I can’t do it. I don’t know what to say”, I prayed, almost sobbing. For a few moments, there was only silence, and I almost thought He was angry at me for saying that. “I’m sorry, Lord”, I whispered.
“Daughter, Lean on Me. I’ll do the work, just participate in it with Me”. His voice felt like a soft breeze, somewhere within me, and I felt at peace.
“What do I do? I don’t know what to say”.
There wasn’t any reply until the next morning, as I hummed “Jesus loves me, this I know”, while brushing my teeth.

“Speak of the grace I offered you”, He had said.

I stopped humming and slowed down. “Alright, Jesus. But help me still, please”. I sighed.

After church service, I walked up to Isaac and greeted him. As I looked him in the eye, I tried to decipher what might be going on within him. “Can I speak with you?”

As I started speaking, it felt like it wasn’t me talking anymore. It was like someone was speaking through me, although I could hear myself.

I told Isaac my salvation story, how I had been depressed and struggling with sin for a long time, how I took time running away from God feeling like He hated me. I talked about how God’s love and amazing grace found me and how it changed my life. Saying it then, it sounded so amazing even in my own ears, like it was someone else’s story.

“Jesus wants you to be a part of His grace, Isaac”. As I ended the talk, I saw that his countenance had begun to change. It seemed like some walls were beginning to fall and light was entering somewhere within him.

Immediately I got home, I went on my knees beside my bed and worshipped, sobbing quietly. I was grateful that Jesus was doing something in Isaac already and that He used me. Moments later Isaac called.

“I knew there was something different about you, a divine kind of difference, you know. I want it too. Tell Jesus I need Him, I need His grace”, he had said.
After leading Isaac in the sinner’s prayer and praying with him I said, “Jesus lives in you now; you are a part of Him. You can enjoy His grace even now”, I smiled.

“Thank you”, I heard him sniffing. “Really”.
And even louder than that I heard Jesus whisper to me, “Thank you, Daughter”.