My testimony begins with me and my boyfriend living together and having trouble. We had two children together, and another from one of my previous relationships. I was taught, as a girl, that my child was to come first. This caused some trouble because I always backed her instead of my future husband. Fast forward a few years, and there was an altercation between my boyfriend and my oldest child. I overreacted and called OCS. But, I know God is in the details because He sent a leader from Hope Alive to my house as a social worker. As this leader completed her investigations and started her counseling plan, I noticed there was something different about her. I looked forward to her visits and really seemed to learn from her. When she quoted scripture, she really had my attention. She recognized my interest and invited me to church. My first experience in a full-gospel non-denomination church was indescribable. I was moved by the atmosphere (music and loving embracing people) and was saved probably on my very first church service. I attended an encounter soon after and was water baptized as soon as it was available. I HAD been in church all my life… I HAD been water baptized, but I never had a true relationship with Jesus before that encounter. I have not stopped attending my church since then. I made a commitment to God, to my Pastors, to my leaders, and to my church, to be teachable, open, and faithful. I had many emotional and mental issues that needed to be “walked” out. I attended every class and program that was offered that I could attend. The church has been through many changes and phases. I did not always understand the changes or agree, but I did stay obedient and that paid off. It took a long time for me to see progress; and some people tell me now that they never really believed I would make it. Ten years later, I am still here and still growing and learning, and STILL obedient and faithful. I have learned the discipline of tithing. For about a year, I have been truly faithful and cheerful in my giving. In return for that, God placed a strong desire to go on a missions trip and I took it on faith that He would deliver. I didn’t understand that desire, but I believed my life depended on it….and it most definitely DID! Many people doubted it because my desire included two of my teenage daughters to accompany me. This trip was not cheap! I had many leaders look at me with concern, strongly warn me how hard it would be to raise the money for all of us, and really doubt that I could do it. I worked HARD to get this accomplished, and I had many mini miracles help me to get there. Several times I did get discouraged, but God always reminded me that if He wanted me there…I would get there! So I plugged on. I did indeed get my funding for all three of us to go on this trip. My experience there absolutely changed my life and my view of what ministry was! My trip started with the “opportunity” for offense…because if the enemy can get you to look at someone else, then you can’t see what God is trying to show you about yourself. I was determined to connect with God, so I dealt with that offense and I opened my heart to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit ministered so deeply to my soul that I was able to remove some of the “glass” walls that I had placed around me. I never knew they were there because I always looked at myself as the victim, and that hindered my relationship with God. How can God minister love if you are too busy nursing wounds? He wanted to REMOVE the wounds so that He could start pouring His truth into me. He spoke to me loud and clearly while I was on that trip, and I was truly blessed! What I didn’t expect was what happened when I returned home. God said that if you stay busy with His business, He will stay busy with Your business. When I returned home, home was still exactly as I left it. What changed was ME! The enemy was waiting for me to return to hit me with the chaos I left behind. Thank God for awesome leaders who were able to see my blind spots and show me how the enemy was being successful in my life and family! These leaders helped me get a game plan to address things that needed to be addressed. Now, my focus is different toward what is happening in my home and within my family. Things are different now… I see progress. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have ANOTHER phase of my life to “walk” Out, but now, it is with a clear vision and purpose! My vocation has changed as well. I believe God implanted my true calling in my heart. It is not just one fold… like some may think, like God lives on just one platform. There are several layers of my purpose and my calling. First, it is to see my family, church, community and so on free from the bondage of poverty. He has shown me how I fit in to that plan of educating, assisting, and then being able to give back to the community. Second, it is to continue forward in ministry of children and/or youth. Third, it is to continue my efforts in foreign missions. I have a plan developed in my mind, with a promise of the Holy Spirit to connect the dots, in His timing of how it will all work out. If you are not growing, then you are most definitely dying. Dying is NOT an option for me!
Posted on: Sun, 17 Aug 2014 01:48:04 +0000
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