39 and Counting

A Bahá’í in New Hampshire asked that we share this inspiring story.  She wanted to encourage all of us to view each seeker and on-line declarant as a unique and wonderful soul with limitless and unknown potential. Here’s Jim’s story:

 I was so blessed that believers, still unknown to me, put Bahá’í books into the Hofstra University Library where I was working, with the faith and understanding that Bahá’u’lláh would guide seekers of truth to find those books and respond to His Message.

Of course, we didn't have Internet in those days (1970s) but one of the books did contain a contact address for the National Spiritual Assembly. I was so taken by Bahá’u’lláh's Teachings (although I did study on my own for six months before making a decision) that I wrote to the National Assembly requesting information on how to become a Baha'i.

The National Teaching Office sent me back a beautiful letter with a declaration card and told me to sign it, send it back and to consider myself a Baha'i from that point on.

I signed the card in April 1973. Local Baha'is, among them Rouhieh who met Abdu'l-Bahá, called me and invited me to the annual meeting and I met Bahá’ís for the first time. I was also elected to the Local Spiritual Assembly that night.

The rest is, as they say, history...

I just wanted to share that I am joyfully celebrating the 39th (that's right - thirty ninth) anniversary of my declaration of faith in Bahá’u’lláh.

Nothing has had a greater impact on my life than finding the Bahá’í Faith, so to whoever it was that placed those Bahá’í books in Hofstra University Library so many years ago, many, many, many thanks.  Those books led me straight to Bahá’u’lláh.

No teaching effort is ever wasted, not matter how small or seemingly insignificant.  Bahá’u’lláh knows how to use our sincere efforts in His service no matter how invisible or ineffective they may seem at the time.

Many thanks and much love to you all.