I know I have shared how I responded to the gospel message of Jesus Christ in Vacation Bible School when I was six years old. I am so thankful for the seeds planted in my life by those who lead me to Jesus, those who taught my Sunday School class, and those who went out of their way to make sure I got to church and home again. I am so very thankful for each of these people!
But there is another dear lady that prayed over me, taught me, and encouraged me to live for Jesus that I would love to tell you about. Her name was only known to me as "Ms. Peggy". Do you know where I encountered this godly woman?? PUBLIC SCHOOL. Yep. That's right. I was taught the Word of God in Public School. Whodathunkit??
Ms Peggy traveled to many of the schools in my area, teaching children about Jesus, passing out New Testaments, and telling exciting stories. It was always exciting on the days when Ms Peggy came to my school. My first grade class, along with the other lower elementary classes, would be led in a long line to the gym and seated near the front while Ms. Peggy set up her flannel boards on the gym floor.
Oh, we looked forward to her stories! She would start by praying over us and then we would sing fun songs,
then she would tell incredible stories about Jesus: how He fed many with a little boy's loaves and fishes; how He turned the water into wine; how He healed the lame and sick; how even the wind and the sea obeyed Him! She always camed armed with prizes to give to those who learned the memory verses she gave us on her last visit, and for reading different passages in the Bible. I remember reading the whole books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in first grade....just so she would be
proud of me and reward me with a treat from her goodie box.
Ms. Peggy continued to travel from school to school for several years, teaching children about a loving Savior...and each one of those schools were public schools. I am so thankful that God provided godly women to plant seeds of God's Holy Word in my life, when I was yet too young to seek the Word on my own.
Ms. Peggy died when I was in college. There was a lovely story about her in the county newspaper about her many years of ministry in the public school. Some sweet day....I will hug her neck in heaven and tell her just how much she impacted my life. I know I will be standing in a long line. :)
