THE STORY BEHIND 'I LOVE YOU JUST AS YOU ARE'

I went to Canada to the 'Toronto Blessing' as we sat in the workshop in the morning we were to sit for 15 minutes and concentrate on Jesus and write down what we heard. The poem "I Love You Just as you Are' came flowing onto my paper.

This poem ministered to four people that I witnessed before I left Toronto in such amazing ways. There was no question that it was from the Lord.

The first was a blind 16 year girl that has been estranged from her family for 2 years. She had been told she was no good and ugly. She had not spoken with her parents in 2 years. We were to read aloud what we heard from the Lord. At the end of the service she had a friend run after me for a copy of the poem and she said she was going to take the poem home and reconcile with her parents. She was called into the ministry for the blind.

Blessing No. Two. - A lady from the back of the room came and ask for a copy of the poem, said the Lord had given her poetry but she had gotten discouraged and quit and that inspired her to pick up again where she left off.

Blessing No. Three - The Lord put upon my heart to go to a certan lady and speak with her because she needed encouragement. When I did the tears rolled down her cheeks and she had been mentally abused until she did not even know herself anymore - the poem spoke to her to bring about her own worth again.

Blessing No. Four - During the evening service - there was about 2,000 people there - and there was this one woman that I could only see her back and side of her face but it was as though there was a light shining on her and I ask the Lord what he wanted me to do - I did not feel anything in my Spirit, so I just prayed for her and felt that was all of it.

The next morning at the service - her husband sat in front of me - I said 'Oh Lord what are you up to I know this is not a coincindence.' The service was almost over and I felt the Lord put upon my heart to give her husband a copy of the poem - I argued with the Lord that he would think I am crazy to just give him a copy of the poem - but how many of you know that when the Lord tells you to do something He doesn't just let you off the hook. He said 'give it to him.' I said alright Lord but he will think I am crazy.

I copied the poem on a piece of paper and put a note on it as follows:

'I feel the Lord wanted your wife to have a copy of this poem. If I have missed the mark, tell her it is just a poem, but if I have hit the nail on the head, tell her it is a love letter from the Master.' I tapped him on the shoulder and gave him the poem and note. I tried to get out before he read it but was blocked. He read it and with tears in his eyes turned around to me and said 'Boy did the Lord hit the mark."

They were from Alabama and had been ther for 5 days. His wife had trouble receiving love due to an abusive situation with her earthly Father and they were leaving that day. His wife would not even come to the service. There were five of them visiting - his wife said she was the only one leaving Toronto without a Blessing so she stayed at the hotel. Her husband tore out of there running to give the poem to her. Can you imagine what a Blessing she had, to know that out of 2,000 people, God choose her to give her that special poem.

This poem has ministered to many, many people.