No Turning Back

No Turning Back, No Turning back



I came to Kansas City from Massachusetts. I had no car, so I took city Metro bus to get where I needed to go. It was on that bus I met DM David. We talked, him in his broken English and me in my New England brogue. He was from Pakistan and was going to the same seminary I was attending. He was the first real friend that I had, since I came to Kansas City. David and I lived together and ate together. He was awaiting his family. He had a few children and a wife on their way. He shared his spicy curry and garlic most often with beef and chicken. I hated hot food until David showed me how to eat it and enjoy it with lots and lots of pita bread. He looked forward to eating spaghetti with me and my soon to be wife Cindy when his family arrived.
The phone rang while I was at his house. It was my mom with news from home. My sister Missy was deathly sick. The doctors were beginning to talk about her in past tense. We were preparing for the worst. I wept while David watched. He put his arms around me and motioned from me to get on my knees and pray. It was fervent prayer. I do not ever remember praying with such energy and passion. After we were done praying David stood up with arms raised up to heaven:
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning back.
The depressive mood was lifted, we knew in our hearts God was at work. Sure enough Mom called a few days later to share with excitement that she had come back as if raised from the dead. I was forever changed by that event. God sees the misery, hears the cries and indeed is concerned about our suffering. Praise God. No turning back, no turning back.