It was a crisp, beautiful autumn afternoon as Emma walked through the park on her way home from church. She noticed she was still carrying her church bulletin and a small booklet titled The Four Spiritual Laws, so she tucked them into her bag. She wasn’t sure why she had picked up the booklet on her way out—it had been sitting untouched on a bookshelf for years.
As she passed a quiet bench near the pond, she noticed a man sitting alone. His head hung low, his shoulders slumped forward as though he were carrying a heavy burden. Something stirred in Emma’s heart. She slowed her pace, hesitated, and whispered a quick prayer.
Lord, if this is You prompting me, help me be bold.
“Hi,” she said gently, approaching the bench. “Do you mind if I sit here?”
The man glanced up. His eyes were red and tired. “Go ahead.”
Emma sat down, her heart pounding. “I’m Emma.”
“Logan,” he replied flatly, turning his gaze back toward the water.
A moment of silence passed before Emma spoke again. “It’s a beautiful day, but you look like you have a lot on your mind. Would you like to talk about it?”
Logan exhaled sharply, as if releasing something he’d been holding inside for far too long. “I’ve made a mess of everything. I lost my job. My wife left. I can’t seem to do anything right. I don’t even know why I’m still here.”
Emma swallowed hard and prayed silently again. Lord, give me the right words.
“I’m so sorry you’re feeling this way, Logan,” she said softly. “May I share something with you that changed my life when I was at my lowest?”
He shrugged. “Sure. Why not?”
Emma reached into her bag and pulled out the booklet. “This is called The Four Spiritual Laws. It explains how much God loves us and wants to be involved in our lives. Would it be okay if I walked you through it?”
Logan hesitated, then nodded.
Emma opened the booklet. “The first law says this: God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. John 3:16 says, ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.’”
Logan scoffed quietly. “Doesn’t feel like God loves me.”
“I understand,” Emma said gently. “I’ve felt that way too. That’s why the second law is so important. It explains why we often feel distant from God—we’re separated from Him because of sin.” She turned the page. “Romans 3:23 says, ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ That includes me too, Logan. None of us measure up on our own.”
Logan nodded slightly, his expression softening.
“But here’s the good news,” Emma continued. “The third law says Jesus Christ is God’s solution to our sin. Romans 5:8 tells us, ‘But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Jesus took the punishment for our failures so we could be forgiven.”
Logan looked up at her, his eyes filling with tears. “I’ve done some terrible things.”
“So have I,” Emma said honestly. “But Jesus doesn’t ask us to clean ourselves up first. He asks us to come just as we are.”
She turned to the final page. “The fourth law is this: We must receive Jesus as our Savior and Lord. John 1:12 says, ‘To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.’”
She handed him the booklet. “There’s a simple prayer here. If you’re ready, you can pray it and invite Jesus into your heart.”
Logan stared at the page for a long moment. Then he whispered, “Can I pray it now?”
“Of course,” Emma said, bowing her head.
Logan’s voice trembled as he prayed aloud. “Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open my heart to You and receive You as my Savior. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me the person You want me to be.”
When he finished, a tear slid down his cheek. “I don’t know why,” he said quietly, “but I feel lighter.”
“That’s the love of God,” Emma replied with a smile.
Weeks later, Emma ran into Logan at church. His face was brighter, his posture confident. Excitedly, he told her, “I found a job. I’ve reconnected with my kids. I’m reading the Bible every day. Even my wife—who wouldn’t talk to me before—has started talking to me again. She says she can see something different in me.”
He paused, emotion thick in his voice. “Thank you for stopping that day. I didn’t think life could change—but God proved me wrong. And He used you to help make that happen. I’ll never forget it.”
Emma shook her head gently. “I was just a vessel God chose to use, Logan. Never stop thanking the Lord.”
As Logan walked away, Emma smiled, closed her eyes, and lifted her voice toward Heaven.
“All glory to You, Lord,” she whispered. “You never stop amazing me. I love You.”
