adapted from Acts 9 by Lisa Brock

With letters in my pack, I began walking toward Damascus. The letters gave me permission to arrest anyone who called on the name of Jesus. I would bring the prisoners back to Jerusalem, where most of them would be put to death.

It was a long journey--four days if I didn't stop except for food and rest. I walked quickly, as I was anxious to carry out my duties. I hated the followers of Jesus. I could see they were wrong--they professed that "the Way" was the only path to heaven. But I knew--as did all good Jews--that the way to get to heaven was to follow the Law to the letter. And these "Christians" certainly didn't do that!

So there I was, walking and thinking about the sins of the Christians, when a bright light--brighter than I'd ever seen before--flashed down from heaven. Startled, I fell to the ground and closed my eyes. A voice said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

"Who are you, Lord?" I asked, a little afraid to find out. What had I ever done to God? Why was He persecuting me?

"I am Jesus," the voice answered.

At that point, I was shaking in my sandals. After all, I hated Jesus and all those who followed Him. What would He do with me?

Then the voice said, "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

I'm not sure whether the men traveling with me saw anything, They might have thought I was a little strange, lying there on the ground talking to myself. When I got up, they must have been giving me some funny looks. But I didn't see them. In fact, I didn't see anything. When I opened my eyes, I was blind. My traveling companions agreed to help me down the road until we reached Damascus.

When we arrived, I didn't eat or drink for three days. I just couldn't believe what had happened to me. Me, Saul of Tarsus, a well-respected Pharisee. I knew every letter of the Law and obeyed them all. Why would the Lord do this to me? So I prayed and fasted, hoping the Lord would give me an answer.

The answer to my prayers arrived on the third day in Damascus. There was a knock at the door, and a man named Ananias entered. He placed his hands on me and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

As quick as a flash, something like scales fell from my eyes, and I could see again! I got up and looked around. Then I fell to my knees and asked for Jesus' forgiveness for my sins against Him. Right then and there, I was baptized.

Later Ananias told me God had said in a vision that I was His chosen instrument to carry His name to the Gentiles and others. After all I had done against Him, He had chosen me. Me, Saul of Tarsus, chosen by Jesus. I could see this would be a real adventure!

	Q: What does an invisible cat drink? A: Evaporated milk. Desi P., 10, Idaho Clubhouse Jr. Click here to subscribe