Mary V. Moody
Born Again: Thursday During the Revival of 1963
Place: Clarksburg Baptist Church
Age: 11
I never remember a time when I did not go to church. One of my earliest
childhood memories is playing church with my older brother, using a kitchen
stool for a pulpit. He was the preacher and I was the song leader. We did
not have a television, so many of my nights as a young child and teenager
was spent sitting beside my granddaddy, who lived with us, listening to
preaching and the Mull Singing Convention on WCKY, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mom
and Dad both taught Sunday School classes so there always seemed to be someone
reading and studying the Bible, often out loud. I realized I was lost when
I was about nine years old and I remember dreading the invitational hymn
after every service. The schools at that time allowed children to attend
revival services during the day if their parents agreed, and, of course,
mine did. In 1963, I was attending the revival at Clarksburg Baptist Church.
Each day my burden grew heavier, so heavy that I would tell myself that
I would not attend church the next day if it made me feel so bad, but I
would go back. On Thursday of that week, my burden was so heavy and I was
so miserable that they couldn't sing the invitational quickly enough. I
went to the altar, begging the Lord to forgive me, and in an instant, peace
flowed into my heart and my soul was filled with joy. I cried, I laughed,
I hugged everyone I could reach. I had never felt such happiness. Life's
road has been rough at times, but God has always helped me through. When
I am feeling low, I let my mind go back to that time and place and I know
everything will be okay.
"Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing
praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely." [Psalms
147:1]
Mary and her husband Larry Moody are active members
of oura church. Mary is a member of the church choir and sings alto in the Victory
Quartet. Mary's life has been filled with gospel singing and she has chosen
singing to give honor and glory to her Lord Jesus Christ.
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