A real God working in real people's lives...

I accepted his invitation

Before becoming a Christian in the autumn of 1986 I was (or at least I thought of myself as) a successful business man. I had all the trimmings: a nice house, car, a good business and family – or so I thought. My personal philosophy was centred on “me.” What was good for me must be good for everyone else. If they didn't agree – tough.

Then it all started to go wrong. Business became difficult; sales collapsed and the banks foreclosed on me. Everything was lost! My wife had had enough and left. My two children went off the rails (although, praise God, they are now back on track), my business collapsed, the house and the cars all went. I was left entirely alone.

I went to see my accountant to put what was left into some sort of order, as it had got to the point were it seemed best to end it all. Unbeknown to me, the accountant was a Christian. I came to pieces in front of him and collapsed in tears. Instead of being embarrassed as I would have been, he reached out to me and told me he was a Christian and that I did not need to go through this on my own; both he and God loved me! It was as if someone had turned on a torch and the darkness that was surrounding me was pierced by its light.

Over the next few months my accountant stayed in contact with me. He helped me in all sorts of practical ways and continually reminded me of God’s love for me. Eventually after several months, I accepted his invitation to go with him to church.

The rest, as they say, is history. I became a Christian and have experienced God’s love for me ever since. I have been blessed with a lovely new wife and family, which my first two children have become part of. I have been able to become less self centred and seek wherever I can to show people the love that God showed.

by Peter Bray from the UK