A Letter of Testimony

Hey everyone:  I had this happen this past Sunday (1 week ago) and just had to share it with you.  It’s too long to share individually, so I decided to email it to you.

We went down to Roanoke to see all of my aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. for Christmas.  We met at a restaurant called the Golden Corral which is an all you can eat buffet style.  We got there early (we were meeting at 4 p.m.) and walked into the room in the back where my mom and dad were the only 2 people in the room so far.  They said that “one of our long lost cousins was going to be waiting on us”.  I said “oh, really??!” because of where we were and we have a large family, etc.  They said “no, not really, but he says he is!”.  So in comes Charles our waiter and he comes up to me and  says “I’m your long lost cousin Charles, so glad to finally meet you!” and he gives me a hug.  Now, you’ve got to picture this:  he looks just like Cuba Gooding Jr. (in Jerry McGuire with Tom Cruise) and he’s funny like him and very outgoing, etc.  Then he says, “we are going to have us a big family reunion today and I’m going to sing you all a song about Jesus because when Jesus lives inside of you, you just can’t keep it in, if you know what I mean.”  I said “Yes, I know what you mean, God is amazing!”  He told me that he was a preacher too. 

Well, what happened next was just amazing.  As each person arrived from my extended family he greeted them each the same way he had greeted me.  He had everyone smiling and feeling at home.  When we got our food, he made sure that we had plenty of yeast rolls (because Jesus served the people) and hot coffee, drinks, etc.  Then, he shared his testimony with us.  He told us that he was from New York and got in with the wrong crowd.  He was addicted to drugs but then got involved in a group (I forget the name of the group) where he got saved and off of the drugs.  He said “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”  I said Amen!  Now, he works part time at the Golden Corral and part time helping special needs kids. 

When we were finished eating, he said now I’d like to sing for you.  He sang a hymn (sorry I wasn’t familiar with the name of it) but it had to do with God surrounding us with his angels.  He sang “there are angels all around you” and he went around the room while he sang the song and looked each table of people (around 6 tables) in the eyes.  I got some pictures of him doing this.  I’ll try and send them to you.  I got chill bumps while he was singing. 

Anyway, he said that if you are in a storm, Jesus will lift you out of it. 

I am telling you, I felt like I had been to church when I left there.  I want to be like Charles and boldly share about who Jesus is and what He has done in my life, don’t you??!! 

In Him,

Tammy Tilghman