Answered Prayer #1548
When I was 8 years old; I couldn’t swim. I cried every time I went swimming and had a real fear of water; especially going under water. Most Saturday mornings; my parents would take me and my sister to our local swimming baths in Bradford called Shipley Pool. My parents were incredibly patient and gracious in all this. Even with the promise of Seabrook Crisps (you know the ‘awesome’ Crinkle Cut ones) from the Vending Machine at the end of swimming and Fish & Chips for lunch; I still cried as the car pulled into the Car Park. It must have been bad if the thought and offer of food didn’t help me overcome it! It was pretty irrational; but very real for me growing up. Then I met Jesus and gave my life to him when I was 9. Even at a pretty young age; it changed me and gave me true hope as I knew His incredible love for me. I decided to get baptised in water, I prayed about it, knowing this would be facing my fear. The Church I was part of in Bradford hired a swimming pool for Baptisms at the time and in a coincidental way that only God can fashion; I got baptised in the same Shipley Pool that I had gone to every week for years with my family and cried as we came into the Car Park. In the place of my most real fear; Jesus set me totally free as I got baptised in water. I really thought I might not come up; but I did (Thanks Ewart Crowther and Stephen Matthew!). Very soon after that; I learned to swim and got the long coveted 5m badge! – the fear had totally and utterly gone. Jesus had truly set me free. Jesus is the ultimate life-changer and this answer to prayer has transformed and changed my life”