The remarkable true life story of Peter Newman (Part 5)

As I read on I discovered that "He" was Jesus, and then I came to the bit which made me leap to my feet with excitement. "He that comes to me I will in no wise cast out." That was me! Jesus accepted me, just as I was, mucky clothes and all, and He wasn't going to turn me away!

All I had in the world was a pair of Wimpey boots pinched from a building site, a pair of old grey flannels with the knees out, and a T-shirt. I didn't even have any socks or underwear to my name, but all of a sudden, I felt richer than a millionaire. I had found Him, the pearl of great price. I was His son. He had claimed me and made me His own. I can't begin to describe the joy I felt at my discovery: I felt as if I belonged to someone who cared for me deeply and that I was no longer left to struggle through the mish-mash of life alone. I had a Shepherd, a Saviour and, most of all, a Friend.

I had entered a new world. It was like being reborn. The grass was greener, the sky was bluer, birds were singing, people were people. I was a new creation, a brand-new "new-man".

There were some anxious moments, too. I wondered whether it would last, whether I was dreaming. There was plenty around to feed my doubts. People were bewildered; some became angry and frustrated; others amazed. Some reactions were violent and, taunts and threats were commonplace.

But thank God there were others who knew the same Jesus as Saviour. They encouraged me to trust the written word of God, and they trusted God with me.