I joined the Crusader Class (boys – we did not mix in those days!) when I was about 10 years old (I am now 90 years old in spirit!).
This involved an unsupervised cycle ride of about a mile from home in Croydon, as there was very little traffic on the domestic roads in 1945. One day an “Old Crusader Boy” who must have been about 24yrs old, had been invited by the Leaders to come and talk to some 25 of we youngsters. Great stuff! He arrived in uniform and told us of a land battle he had been engaged in whereby his company were far outnumbered by the German troops. It was “curtains” for his guys against such overwhelming odds.
He told us he prayed for his guys and the sweat poured off him. They all “stood to” and the German tanks passed by them without a shot being fired. The next day, reinforcements arrived, and they all made an ordered retreat.
This impressed me no end and when he had finished the Leader, a Mr Alfred Ellis, invited any of us who felt able to give our lives to Jesus, to remain behind for a few minutes. Two of us did and we prayed together.
I found it very hard to tell my Mum, but I did, before the day was out. From that day onwards, I have had the wonderful knowledge that my life was in His hands – and that feeling remains today.
*Photo Credit: https://www.pexels.com/@tempssauvage