SS 7 “My Boss & His Wife”

So far, all the previous Salvation Stories, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed thinking about and sharing with all of you, have been about my family's salvation. In this chapter, He's led me to move on to another group of lost souls whom God used me to show how He will use you to plant His seed, water His seed, or even reap the harvest of His seed that's been planted and watered.

As the title says, this Salvation Story is about my boss, Dr. Will. This entirely outrageously wonderful incident is so fresh in my mind because I realized I'd just been enjoying reminiscing about it with my son Easton. Even though he was just a toddler, our family never got over what God did and would often speak about what happened. We were in awe about how incredible this story just "happened." We talked about this particular salvation right after Easton had just shared how he had been used by God to bring a man back to the Lord, or he wasn't sure, maybe to Him for the first time.

Regardless, his salvation story sparked how honored we both were to be used to "harvest" a soul and, in today’s story—it was two souls who were clearly ready to be harvested—almost like when the fruit falls from a tree right into your basket!

Read again the promise for this chapter, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: A time to be born; A time to die; A time to plant; A time to harvest” (Ecclesiastes 3:2).

Hopefully, this story will encourage you to realize that the Lord will use us no matter how foolish you are, missing clues and opportunities as I had—just as long as our lives are an Epistle.

“Ye are our epistles written in our hearts, known and read by all men” and “You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men” (2 Corinthians 3:2).

Remember, the term "witness" has come to mean something entirely different than what was intended. It’s not a license to confront, condemn, or judge others. Instead, read what He says: He hopes to write His letter of love on your heart, so when people read and witness how you live— He is seen written all over your life!

“For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things [people like me] of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are strong...so that no one may boast before God” (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Now, let's get to this fun story that just makes me smile.

When it was time for this couple’s salvation to be harvested, God led me to work part-time for an orthodontist in Florida. My oldest daughter was just a baby, still nursing, so her dad brought her to me halfway through my day on the days I worked. At this time in our lives, we attended the Baptist church where our oldest son was enrolled in first grade (before I began homeschooling him). So, as was expected by all Baptist church members, we were expected to invite people we knew or met, like neighbors and coworkers, as well as family (though we had no family living nearby), to visit our church with us.

For several weeks, I’d been inviting some of the orthodontic assistants to attend, including a couple of ladies from the front desk staff, when one day, the doctor approached me, almost angry, and said, “Aren’t you ever going to ask Gina and me?!”

My jaw dropped. I was stunned because, first, I never dreamed either of them would be interested; they clearly didn’t even believe in God and were quite vocal about it. Secondly, it never occurred to me to invite Dr. Will, a “coworker,” yes, but not your boss! So this is proof that this verse, which I believe sums up why He’s chosen me so often, is proven to be true once again:

“For God has chosen the foolish of the world to shame and confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27).

So, no matter how you may feel you’re lacking, to the point of being foolish, the Good News is that you don’t even have to be aware of what He’s doing or be eloquent nor knowledgeable or anything else. All you need is a pure heart, loving the Lord with your entire being, and daily experiencing His love for you to do amazing things!

When Dr. Will questioned me, I did what any anointed believer would do: I stammered, not knowing what to say. (smile) Then, as articulate and expressive as I could, (giggle) I said, “Uh, well, yeah, sure, I guess…. Okay, would you and Gina like to come with us to church this Sunday?” To which he replied, “Yes! I’d thought you’d never ask— we’d love to!”

That morning, I sat nervously through the sermon that, to my horror, was speaking about nothing either Dr. Will or Gina would be interested in! Yet, when our pastor asked everyone to come up to the front if they wanted to give their life to the Lord, Dr. Will and Gina stood up, held hands, and walked down to the front of the church!!!! 

Later, when they met us after the service, they both couldn’t stop thanking me!!! Ha, silly, isn’t it? I really did nothing but forget or neglect to ask them to come!

Dr. Will and Gina said they had plans for lunch, so I thought I wouldn’t see him until I worked again, but I was in for another surprise—no, this time, I was dumbfounded. We were running late that evening for some reason, so when we snuck into the sanctuary later that Sunday for the service, the lights were dimmed, and as we walked quietly and quickly down the aisle, I happened to look up to see my boss and his wife were getting baptized!!

“God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!” (Ephesians 3:20).

Talk about—never in my wildest dreams!! Standing together, hearing them speak about being invited, how clean they said they felt, and how joyful they were for the first time in their lives! It made my knees almost give way beneath me. Yet God still was not finished proving to me (and others with whom I’ve shared this) that He wants to use us by simply doing what is asked of us. Nothing could be more simple.

The next day, Monday, was the beginning of the annual Vacation Bible School, my day off. And though I knew as soon as we opened the classroom door, my younger son would tell me, "No, Mommy, I don't want to go." I just sensed I should take him to look and then decide. Heavens—I was again about to experience what little faith it takes to be used by Him.

As my son and I walked down the hallway, I could hear a class singing the song that goes, “Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had father Abraham…” and as I opened the door, there was my boss’s wife, Gina, marching around the room and swinging her arms (as part of the song), leading her son and the other children around the room!!! Can you imagine?!?! I've honestly pictured this scene hundreds of times over these many years.

Though we moved away soon afterward, back to Pensacola, Dr. Will and Gina became fixtures of our former church, where he was soon asked to become an elder. I also heard that many of their outspoken atheist family members began attending church with them; their salvation comes as a result of God using a fool like me!

Though the reason for these salvation stories is to assure you of His promises regarding our loved ones being saved, He also would gladly use us if we’re just willing vessels. And take it from me: He loves choosing the foolish to confound the wise. Many love to tell you it takes much more ability and training to be used by Him—but I’m here to prove them wrong. All you need is an open heart that is willing to be used!

“Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today..." (Exodus 14:13).

"You need not fight in this battle [for loved ones]; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf . . . Do not fear or be dismayed . . . the Lord is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:17).