Just Keep Smiling

Written By Adriana B. Sanchez

My name is Jace and the more I become acquainted with Christ the more eager I become to share Him to those around me. I recently became a Seventh-Day Adventist, and God has led me to this precious school. Here in classes I have been growing by leaps and bounds in my theological Knowledge, and it’s so exciting. The second best teacher (Bible being the first), are experiences. Through canvassing my character has been put through trial, but it’s okay because as a result true refinement follows. I have developed a profound love for the canvassing work, and I cherish each experience God has given me. They are so sweet to me because I know I don’t deserve any.

One Friday I was canvassing and nothing was happening. I was in a parking lot and I was going from person to person. All I was receiving were rejections. Slowly negative thoughts began to crawl on stage. I would hear others on my walkie- talkie calling in for books, and I was tempted to feel sad. I just kept smiling and praying. As I walked I came across a man in his car. I talked to him, but he didn’t have anything to donate. Still, I excitedly asked if there was anything he wanted me to pray for. After I finished praying with him, I left him with our school information just in case he wanted to donate in the future, and then I walked away. A couple weeks later I reached in my mailbox and to my surprise there was a letter for me. I opened it up and it turned out to be from the man I prayed with in that parking lot weeks ago. He gave me a large donation after all. As I was just looking at the check I was overwhelmed with gratitude. God knew I was trying my best that day even though all I had receive were rejections, He made provisions. Never underestimate what God is doing behind the scenes.

In another parking lot I met a man who was pretty interested in what I was doing. We quickly got into a spiritual conversation and he seemed intrigued to find someone walking in a personal journey with Jesus. He told me how he wanted to learn more. As a result he got The Great Controversy and two other books. Before we parted ways he asked for my information so that we could stay in touch. So I grabbed The Great Controversy and in the very back scribbled my information. We prayed and went on with our day. Again a few weeks later he called me and said he wanted to meet with me. We set the time and place and there we were again talking about life, as old friends do. He shared with me how he had been reading the Great Controversy and how he is “taking it slow, because it’s not everyday you find books like this” he said. After that he handed me a check for a very large amount of money. I was speechless. God knew that my school bill was getting very high very fast, but He was one step ahead, even before I got a chance to ask him.

So my beloved stay faithful in the little things, because God is doing His part too. Whatever God has set you off to do, He will provide the means for you to reach it.