Josh McDowell

The following amazing account is based on chapter 19 of Josh McDowell’s biography, “Undaunted” published in 2012. I can arrange lending you the book.

Josh was born into the dysfunctional family of an alcoholic father who had mistreated his mother so much that Josh had even tried to drown him in the bathtub. Part way through law school Josh tried to disprove the resurrection of Christ but in the process became a Christian. His mother had already died by that time. Josh was able to repair relationships with his father and lead him to the Lord but became very troubled about what his mother’s spiritual condition had been. During Christmas break from Talbot Seminary in California he became very troubled about this. Excerpts in his own words tell the astounding story of what happened.

“I was walking and praying across the near-deserted campus one morning. God, I have no idea how You’ll answer this, but I have to ask You. Please let me know whether mom was a believer or not. My heart is burning so much.

On an impulse, I drove to Manhatten Beach – 20 miles away. I parked the car and walked out the long concrete pier that extended far out into the ocean… At the end of the pier, I leaned out on the railing and looked at the grayish-blue water below….Suddenly I heard a woman’s voice. ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you…You’re not thinking of jumpin’, are you? ‘No, lady, not at all. Just thinking…”

The conversation eventually got around to learning they were both from Michigan.

“I had a cousin who used to live in Michigan”, she said…Union City…I was born there,” Josh replied. “What was your cousin’s name?” Edith Joslin. She married a man named Wilmot McDowell” …”Those are my parents!” exclaimed Josh.

Needless to say both were speechless with astonishment that the two would meet 2000 miles from ‘home’ on a lonely ocean pier with no one else around.

“I need to ask you a question. Maybe you’ll know the answer.” “Sure, son.” Do you by chance happen to know if my mom ever trusted Christ as Savior ad Lord? …Your mom and I were just teenagers when a tent revival came to town…And it was the fourth night…that she and I made our decision. We grabbed each other’s hand and went forward to accept Christ.”

You can imagine Josh’s exhileration! Jumping and shouting for joy at the answer to his prayer. It was not a coincidence that just when he desperately needed it, he had headed for this ocean beach, stopped at this pier and conversed with this woman who was his mom’s cousin and was the one person who could personally answer his question.

God cares very much about His children.

Henry Wiebe