TALES OF FAITH
Introduction
We tell our children and witness to others the stories of miracles and faith in the Bible. They say, "Yes, but those things happened a lo-ong, lo-o-ong, time ago." So here are some tales from my life and I challenge other Christians to think of stories from your own lives to tell to your children and to use to witness to others.
Chapter 1
1973-1974
I started smoking cigarettes in 1964 when I was thirteen years old. It was purely because of peer pressure, but we didn't know about all the dangers caused by smoking when we were kids. I never developed a strong addiction. I would usually smoke three packs (or less) per week.
In the summer of 1973, I got into a huge fight with my dad. (I should say argument - no blows were exchanged, just words.) Anyway, I was so upset that I started smoking two packs a day.
After two weeks, Daddy and I made up and I cut back on my smoking. The only problem was that I started feeling nauseous when I would light up a cigarette. So I tried switching to menthol. That worked some; I didn't feel sick when I'd first light up - at first, but I'd start feeling sick before I finished each cigarette. Then I found I could only smoke without feeling sick when I was drinking. So when I'd go out to the bars with my friends, I'd buy a pack of cigarettes and leave them when I left. One night when we were at a bar, I bought a pack, lit one up, and started feeling sick right away. That was the end of my smoking and I've never been tempted to take it back up. Of course, I still feel sick whenever I smell cigarette or cigar smoke.
I realized, after I got saved, that this was God working on my life before I'd even made the decision to follow Him.