The following short story is another excerpt from My Precious Life, the book.

A banner heralding the message ‘I’ve found it! You can find it too!’ had been hanging in my teenage son’s room for several weeks. Whenever I looked at it I wondered what it meant. I asked my son but he didn’t know. Someone had given it to him and posters are posters so up on the wall it went. It nibbled at my mind every time I looked at it. One evening my youngest son, then ten, asked “Mom, what does that sign mean?” “I don’t know,” I admitted, “but I’ll find out.”

At that precise moment the phone rang. It was a soft-spoken woman who asked, “Have you seen a sign around with the message ‘I’ve found it, you can find it too’?” The hair stood up on my arms and they began to tingle. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Yes” I timidly replied, “I have.” “Do you know what it means?” was her next question. “No,” I admitted, feeling the tingling sensation overwhelming my body. She went on to explain that it was a message from several inter-denominational churches attempting to lead people to, or back to God and the church.

As the conversation progressed my caller asked permission to pray with me. How could I say no? It was a simple prayer, then she thanked me for listening, saying mine was the first positive response she had received after many calls. When I told her why, she was silent for a moment before quietly stating, “God does work in mysterious ways.” It was to be a life changing moment for me but I didn’t know it then.

Not long after that one of my youngest son’s friends asked him to go to church with him and his mother. He enjoyed going to Sunday school with his friend. One Sunday as he was getting ready to leave he said, “Mom, if you come to church with me today you will get a rose. All the moms who come will get one.” “Not today, dear,” I replied, “I have a lot to do. You run along.” I turned back to reading the newspaper. Suddenly, I found myself racing up the stairs. “Wait for me,” I called, “I’ll go with you!” Slipping into something suitable I was ready in no time. It was the strangest feeling; almost like invisible hands were gently nudging me along.

After the service my son introduced me to his teacher. She told me he had shared the banner story with the class. “When he got to the part about the phone call,” she said, “my senses came alive. It was I who called you, Mrs. Boyes. I made many, many calls that night and yours was the only positive response.” “What a blessing to have you and your son with us this morning.”

That was the beginning of my real spiritual journey. I learned how to listen for the still, small voice of God. I learned how to pray effectively. I learned how to look for the miracles in everyday life. But most of all I learned that when God wants to get your attention he starts with a little nibble, patiently waits until you take the bait then reels you in hook, line and sinker.

My son now works in an environment where helping people is the main criteria. His friend became a full time minister. As for me, I don’t just go to church, I am involved in many ways. I still love listening for the still, small voice and when He says, “You go, girl,” He’s got my attention.