By Harold Keller

Mrs. Linda Allen of the St. John Animal Shelter and I developed a relationship after I wrote an article about people who cared more about their pets than their children.  She called to let me know of her displeasure with my opinion. She then invited me to visit the shelter, which I did to see what was involved with the workers and their jobs. 

I didn’t change my opinion, but was impressed with the passion the workers had for their jobs. That was the beginning of what I consider a great relationship with Linda and the workers. 

Over the years, Linda and I shared some experiences and our relationship has grown.

Monday night, Linda called and asked if I would pray for her husband, Jim, who, two weeks ago, had his left leg amputated and was to undergo surgery the next morning to amputate his other leg. We prayed on the phone and I told her I would visit Jim after the operation. 

Wednesday morning, I called Linda and was told that Jim was in ICU and that only family members could visit him. I decided to go anyway and got there five minutes before visiting hours. Linda was in the waiting room and the receptionist was kind enough to allow me to go in for a few minutes.

I was surprised to see how Jim was so alert.  We spoke in general for a few minutes and then I asked, “Jim, when you die, where will you spend eternity?” 

“In Heaven, I hope!” was his reply. 

I then shared with him that today he can make sure that he’ll spend eternity with God if he wants to.  He looked a little puzzled, but wanted to know how. 

“Do you believe in God?” I asked. He acknowledged that he did. I then asked, “Do you believe that God sent Jesus to suffer and die on the Cross for all of your sins?” 

He said, “Yes.” 

“Do you believe that He rose on the third day and sits at God’s right hand in Heaven?” 

He again said, “Yes.” 

“Jim,” I continued, “we are all sinners and only have to ask God to forgive us and He will.  You can now invite Jesus to come into your heart and be the Lord of your life.” 

I led Jim into the sinner’s prayer and he prayed to be saved.

With tears in his eyes, I leaned over, kissed him, and told him that I loved him. 

“I love you, too,” was his reply. 

It was as exciting an experience that I ever had. 

Before I left, I told Linda that God will use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. I then said, “Linda, God didn’t put us together to discuss dogs and cats, but to be prepared for such a day as this.”

If you have any questions, or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.