Going on with Jesus

Ruby Anderson was the main character in the last story I published. Before I move on to other stories, I want to share another Ruby Anderson story.

In the beginning I visited Mrs. Anderson in her home, but she grew weaker and went into a nursing home. The nursing home was located close to New Orleans Baptist Seminary. Students from the seminary ministered to the residents to fulfill class requirements and also on a voluntary basis.

I continued to visit Mrs. Anderson regularly just as I had when she was in her home. During my visits she would tell me stories and keep me updated. She began to tell me about one particular seminary student who visited her often. It was obvious that they were very fond of each other. Although I am not certain, I believe the students name was Randy.

One day I stopped by to visit Mrs. Anderson and she was very excited. Randy had just visited with her. He had related to her an experience he had while driving in New Orleans during a heavy rain. If you are familiar with New Orleans, you know it rains often and hard. Because the city is below sea level, the water does not drain and has to be pumped out.

Randy got caught in a very heavy rain, what we call "a gully washer" in South Carolina. The water depth was rising fast as he tried to navigate his way down the street. The car engine began to sputter, and the car jerked. It appeared the engine was going to be flooded out and the car stalled. Seminary studies are demanding. Students have families, jobs, staff positions in churches if they are fortunate enough to be employed while a seminary student and the many other life responsibilities. The last thing a student needs is a stalled car and having to pay a towing fee.

What did Randy do? He prayed. Lord, please do not let this car stall! All of a sudden, the engine stopped sputtering and the car stopped jerking. The engine revved up and he was able to get through the deepest water. Randy had a white towel lying beside him in the car seat. He grabbed the towel and lowered the window on the driver's side. Stretching his arms as far and high in the air as he possibly could, He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Going on with Jesus!"

As Mrs. Anderson shared Randy's story with me, her excitement, her love for Randy and most of all her love for Jesus were inherent in every word.

I walked out of her room that day with a new resolve that in my life, I'm going on with Jesus. It's been a long time since Mrs. Anderson told me that story, but I'm still going on with Jesus.

There is a life application to this story that should not be ignored. Sometimes in navigating our way through life, we encounter some deep waters. We may sputter along and feel that we are going to be overwhelmed. We feel as though we are going to stall. In these times we need to pray as Randy did. Jesus will bring you through the deep waters.

Let's wave our towels and shout to the world going on with Jesus.