My Neighbor Martin

I have always believed in God. I have always believed that Jesus was born from the Virgin Mary.. I have always believed Jesus led a Perfect life without sin. I don't remember when I learned about God.. I do have vague memories of going to Sunday school in a church basement when I was younger than four. I remember different people talking to me about God throughout my youth. My family was never regular attenders but the belief was always there... Why wouldn't it be? I never questioned His existence. I do admit when I got older (in my twenties) I did not act like a Christian at times. I hardly ever went to church but I never stopped believing in God... I just wasn't real interested in knowing more about Him.
It's kind of funny to me that once I started a "real" relationship with God some of the people that I have always known started to act different around me.. Not in a bad way - just a "I better watch what I say around Kelly" way.. Not that I walk around with a Bible in my hand and preach... I've never done that... People know that Dusty, I and the girls always have plans for Sunday morning - going to Church... There have been times that friends have asked me about my faith and what I believe.. and I will answer them the best way I can.
I have a neighbor a really nice man named Martin. Well Martin is the type of neighbor that will watch your house while you're gone and when your outside he'll come over for a small chit chat. He is a great guy.. Every Christmas season, you'll find him on his roof and ladder stringing up millions of lights...He even goes so far as to put fake snow on his front lawn (In So. Cal - we just don't get the real white stuff). He loves his family and his friends and would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it.
When Martin first found out that I was a Christian ( I was getting in the car for Church one Sunday morning) the first thing he said to me was "I don't believe in God"..Okay - I had no idea how to respond to that... Okay, we'll see you later?...and that's about what I said.. As the years have went by - we would always get together and exchange Christmas presents and share a glass of eggnog. And every Christmas he again says to me "I don't believe in God".... This past Christmas - my response was "Well Martin, you've told me that a few times now... and I completely respect your belief" and he said "Well aren't Christians suppose to try to convert people who don't believe?"... I thought that was a really strange thing... Did he want me to talk to him about God?.... I said I could never convert him - that's up to you and God and left it at that...
Well around February, Martin came over to my house.. He looked very sad and asked if he could talk to me... Of course, I said... Well he told me that he had a son that he had not talked to in over twenty years...they had a horrible fight.... Well, Martin found out through the grapevine that his son had a stroke and was not doing well. Martin said that if there was a God that he would probably listen to me and would I pray for his son to get well and to pray for the chance to see his son again. I asked a question that I was terrified of asking.. I said do you want to pray with me right now? I could see Martin fighting his emotions.....whether to stay or flee.... finally he said yes.... We sat down on my couch in the middle of the day and prayed... prayed for healing and prayed for forgiving....
Five days later - Martin's phone rang.. it was a grandson he had never talked too. It was his son's son..... His grandson said that his dad would like to see Martin...
Martin almost fell to the floor...The next day Martin and his wife drove over 200 miles to see his son....Martin walked into his son's home... His son sat up and put his arms out to his dad - Martin ran/walked and grabbed his son for the most heartfelt hug of his life...Everything was forgiven on that day with the hope of a new relationship...
Yesterday, I was watering my lawn and this very handsome man walked up to me.... He asked me if I was Kelly and I said yes... He said I'm Martin's son and I just have to thank you for helping me get back my dad.. I assured him I didn't do anything... he said you know - I was laying in bed and I felt this overwhelming need and love for my dad....and knew I had to make amends..... He went on to say that it was the day that Martin and I prayed together....
I don't know if Martin has accepted Christ.... I don't think it is the time to say anything... Martin knows what happened.... He knows a miracle took place.. I am always in awe when a prayer is so obviously answered....and I was so blessed to experience God's abundant glory and forgiveness in action.