I remember going to Sunday school and being taught this song by my Sunday school teacher. It was one of  the first songs I’ve ever learned, it is so easy to remember because you’d just repeated one verse over and over again, and that was all we were taught. Never understanding the meaning of a sunbeam, all I knew is that anything to do with Jesus was good, and I liked singing the song.

Almost thirty years went by without me hearing that song again and then I was invited to a prayer meeting and asked to start the meeting with a prayer by the minister who looked at me and began to sing the song, ”A sunbeam, a sunbeam Jesus wants you for a sunbeam.” I looked at him in fear and also disbelief. Fearful, because back in the days I was very shy, I never liked being up front in the midst of lots of people. Even today it scares the life out of me, just the thought of it! ”What if I’d say or do the wrong thing? I would be so embarrassed,” I’d constantly think to myself. Being in the back is my safe place when I’m around people. I don’t like fronting, and being the center of attention; I truly despise it. I was in disbelief because, of all the songs this minister chose to sing to me, it was one I haven’t heard in forever, old time song that I only heard in Sunday school and loved so much. Here I am all grown up, a woman now and for the first time, and as shocked as I was, I heard, within his singing, God calling me to ministry. I’ve always wanted to be like Jesus, to care for people and to heal them. But I never saw myself as a preacher, minister, pastor, ”no way in heaven or on earth, that is not my dream ever in life to do.” Believe it or not, that is some of what I was saying in my head when the minister was singing. He saw my reluctance and somehow could read my mind. He started to minister to me in the presence of everyone,” so embarrassing,” I thought to my self. He said, “the meaning of a sunbeam is God is calling you to be a light, a beacon for His purpose in the world where there is darkness,” and as he continued to speak something came over me and I fell to my knees and started praying like I never prayed before in my life. I don’t even recall when the gentleman stopped speaking when I’d fell to my knees. I believe the seed of ministry was planted in my soul at that very moment. We had a wonderful prayer meeting that day and everyone who attended walked away ever so blessed and uplifted.