Sophie Gunner was an Indian woman who lived in Northern Ontario. She was the village bootlegger, and quite often you would see her overcome with drink. On many occasions she lay in the dirt, rolling about drunk, and calling to passers by. No one paid much attention to her at such times.
One day her little girl, Tammy, went to Sunday school nearby and heard about the Lord Jesus and of how He died on the cross to save sinners. Tammy went home and told her mother what she had heard.
The next week Tammy went back to the Sunday school to hear more of the wonderful stories from the Bible. She told her teacher that she had spoken to her mother about Jesus and that she had listened.
Several weeks after that, during a terrible blizzard, Mr. Penney, a Christian man, was visiting the local preacher. Long after dark, as the two men sat talking about the things of the Lord, there was a knock at the door.
“Who could be out on a night like this?” exclaimed Mr. Penney.
“It’s probably just the storm,” said his host. However, as he went to the door, the knocking came again, but much louder this time.
Mr. Penney was sitting in the living room and could not see the door. Consequently he was quite puzzled when he heard the strange voice of a woman asking if Mr. Penney was there. Having been assured that he was, the stranger proceeded quickly without invitation into the living room. As she came around the corner into view, Mr. Penney was startled and almost frightened when he found himself face to face with Sophie Gunner. She had a desperate expression on her face and such a wild look in her eyes.
“There must be something wrong,” thought Mr. Penney. But he was completely taken by surprise when Sophie exclaimed, “I wonder if you can tell me how I can get rid of my sins!”
His host suggested that she come back when she was more sober. But she insisted she had to know now if that were possible.
The three of them sat down tether, and the two men read to Sophie many verses of Scripture about the Lord Jesus and His love to guilty sinners.
They explained to her that no matter how wicked a person might be, the Lord Jesus could cleanse away every stain of sin.
“I want Him to do it now!” cried Sophie.
Then as she knelt by the couch, her coat dripping with melted snow, she poured out her heart with tears to the Saviour, confessing her many sins.
Her prayer ended. When she rose to her feet, her countenance was completely changed. She had such a happy, peaceful look, and seemed completely sober. She knew now that the Lord Jesus was her Saviour and that her sins were gone!
After that, at home, Sophie found it difficult to live her new life as a Christian. But the Lord stood by her and He gave her strength to resist temptation and to live for Him.
If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you will certainly see Sophie in heaven one day.
ML-10/28/1979