These days, the work of the gospel is moving swiftly and astonishingly. I often hear fragrance of Zion that make me think, “Is this really happening?” Inspired by this new and vibrant atmosphere, I decided to share the message of salvation once more with the people around me. The first person who came to mind was the owner of a store where I used to work part-time.
I had always felt grateful to her. Even though I was inexperienced back then, she took good care of me. Hoping she could enjoy a moment of rest in her busy life, I had invited her to “Our Mother” Writing & Photo Exhibition. But each time, she put it off, saying she was too busy. Still, I believed this time would be different. So I visited her with a sister who currently works at the store.
She greeted me warmly, happy to see me after so long. As we caught up, I brought up the exhibition again. But just like before, she simply said she’d think about it, without giving a clear answer. That lukewarm response continued for six months.
Eventually, I felt disheartened and thought maybe it was time to stop inviting her. But then, one day, the sister showed me a message from the store owner. She said the store wouldn’t be open the next day—and that she would come to the exhibition. I couldn’t believe it. This woman, who hardly ever took a day off, had contacted us first and said she would come.
The next day, I went to the exhibition early to wait for her. But as the appointment time approached, there was no sign of her. I called, and she sounded flustered—something had come up unexpectedly. But when she heard I was waiting, she said she’d still come even if it meant being late. About twenty minutes later, she arrived.
After viewing the exhibition together, we had a time to talk, and I learned something that completely surprised me. I had always assumed she wasn’t interested in the Bible or church at all. But when the overseer asked her how she felt about the exhibition, her response left me stunned:
“I’ve always been busy, but honestly, when I saw customers bringing their Bibles into the store, I felt envious. If I had more time, I’d really want to go to church too.”
Not long ago, a student from the Church of God had invited her to this same exhibition. Remembering that we had also invited her before, she told her that she already planned to go with us. And that’s when it struck her: ‘Now is the time for me to go to church.’ That realization was what prompted her to reach out on her day off.
When she said, “It feels like now is the time,” I couldn’t hold back my emotions. My honest feelings just came out.
“Ma’am, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about this for a long time, but I was afraid it might make you uncomfortable. You were always so kind to me, and I truly wanted to go to heaven with you. I shouldn’t go there alone. I’m sorry it took me so long to say this.”
She laughed heartily and said, “Why were you worried? You could’ve just told me.” When the overseer shared with her, through the Bible, the way to enter the kingdom of heaven, she listened intently. She asked what she needed to do—and that very day, she was born again as a child of God.
Everything turned out so differently from what I had expected. On our way to the exhibition, throughout the event, and even afterward, I felt anxious the entire time—not realizing that God had already prepared the right moment and the right way. Seeing a soul who had longed for heaven and sought the true church finally come into the arms of Father and Mother reminded me never to give up. I am now more determined than ever to keep preaching the gospel, for this is the very time when God is saving all mankind.