(Theme: “Believe” By: The Letter Black)
Quote: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13&14 NIV)
My Story:
My story begins before I was born. The date, July 24, 1986. My Grandmother and Grandfather both surrendered their lives to the Lord and were born again. Now fast forward a few months and when my mother became pregnant with me and informed my Grandparents a little time later, they laid their hands on her stomach and dedicated me to God. (This was before that became a popular practice).
Then I was born; July 24 1987. The anniversary of the day they committed themselves to God. Fast forward again a few years and during the summer when I was four or five my grandparents took me to vacation bible school (VBS). It was there I learned about what Jesus had done for me, by dying on the cross to forgive my sins, which allows me to choose to have an intimate relationship with God. The last day of VBS they invited everyone who wanted to ask Jesus into their heart to come down. Though I felt a tug on my heart, it was a logical decision to me. Jesus did all of this for me, why wouldn’t I give my life to Him?
Fast forward several more years to where my father had a massive debilitating stroke. It had been a long journey full of many ups and downs. Relying on God in this time was crucial and though it put us through much difficulty it also let us see miracles in my dad’s heart and life. He drew near to God in a way he never had before. On July 14, 2000 he went into the hospital with a report he would be lucky to walk again. (He was a paraplegic, with no function on his left side). Instead of agreeing he, with a swollen brain spoke; with slurred speech, the faith confessions every day as best he could from a $2.00 Charles Capps book called “God’s Creative Power for Healing” and less than a month later he walked out of the hospital under his own power! A miracle had taken place, though he still had lingering issues he had received a major healing.
Many more ups and downs, struggles and sacrifices. Battles lost and won. Which brought me to 2010, a time and place where I was on unemployment and desperate for a job. Eight months I had been looking and still no job. Finally I said to God. “I give this to you, and promise to take only the job you have for me.” It was a very short period later we received an offer for a job at a church. I knew it had to be God and even though it was working in the Facilities department it was just want we needed! I put in the application was interviewed. They all, but told I was hired. I was so excited!
A few days later I still hadn’t started at the job, but believed God would have me hired. It was then I received a call for the job I had wanted more than anything. To work at a comic shop, rating comics, we’re talking full-time, with benefits! But I had given my word for the other job which was part time, no benefits, no vacation or sick time and the hours would be nights 4p-11p. I had never worked nights before. I asked the Comic shop if I could make the hours work. They said no, but there were basically telling me I was hired.
That was when everything went still and I heard that voice inside. ‘So what are you going to do?’ It was as if a booming voice had declared ‘this is a test’ would I stay true to my word to both God and man? Or go for what I considered my dream job? I turned the job down and felt grieved to say the least, but I knew it was the right thing.
And now come to 2016. I have been promoted several times, from temporary staff, to part time staff, from part time staff to full time staff, and from full time staff to salary staff. And where is that comic shop today? Out of business. Online only. Though it was a difficult journey through those past 5 years at my job, there was longevity in it and only because of my obedience to God did I avoided the pit fall of the other position I would have taken. He would have still been with me and helped me, but how much heartache did I avoid? Despite all the difficulties the past few years have had, I know that I’m on the path He has for me and the future, though full of uncertainty is in His hands. I have no doubts He has plans for good and not evil! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now come to 2017 and there have been even more trials, I’ve suffered more than one injury in the past two years, but steadily pressed in. Went to Heart Quest, had a serious encounter on a mountaintop of sorts with God. I’ve been waging a war for emotional healing from anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Some day’s are more difficult than others. However I know this, as long as I have breath in my lungs I will pour out my praise to God for getting me through another day, another hour, another minute. He inspires me, comforts me and puts people and situations into my path for my good and though I feel fear, pain and doubt. I choose to trust and follow Him. I can’t wait to see what good comes from His hands and what wonders are in the coming year.
Now, arriving at 2020. 2018 is a blur and 2019 was seen as just a beating for everyone I know, now 2020 and we have the Corona Virus, Quarantine and the loss of my former best friend due to betrayal and hurt. Struggles from past wounds, and the loss of my 16 year old fur baby. Yet, despite feeling an unprecedented amount of pain and anguish. I have also heard God more clearly, felt His comfort and hear Him speak wisdom to my heart. There are many more personal struggles I wish not to write about, but I will say this. Pain is temporary, and as long as we choose to continue working towards healing (Counseling, physical therapy, exercise and soul searching), maybe it never fully goes away, but we can overcome it.
Then I was born; July 24 1987. The anniversary of the day they committed themselves to God. Fast forward again a few years and during the summer when I was four or five my grandparents took me to vacation bible school (VBS). It was there I learned about what Jesus had done for me, by dying on the cross to forgive my sins, which allows me to choose to have an intimate relationship with God. The last day of VBS they invited everyone who wanted to ask Jesus into their heart to come down. Though I felt a tug on my heart, it was a logical decision to me. Jesus did all of this for me, why wouldn’t I give my life to Him?
Fast forward several more years to where my father had a massive debilitating stroke. It had been a long journey full of many ups and downs. Relying on God in this time was crucial and though it put us through much difficulty it also let us see miracles in my dad’s heart and life. He drew near to God in a way he never had before. On July 14, 2000 he went into the hospital with a report he would be lucky to walk again. (He was a paraplegic, with no function on his left side). Instead of agreeing he, with a swollen brain spoke; with slurred speech, the faith confessions every day as best he could from a $2.00 Charles Capps book called “God’s Creative Power for Healing” and less than a month later he walked out of the hospital under his own power! A miracle had taken place, though he still had lingering issues he had received a major healing.
Many more ups and downs, struggles and sacrifices. Battles lost and won. Which brought me to 2010, a time and place where I was on unemployment and desperate for a job. Eight months I had been looking and still no job. Finally I said to God. “I give this to you, and promise to take only the job you have for me.” It was a very short period later we received an offer for a job at a church. I knew it had to be God and even though it was working in the Facilities department it was just want we needed! I put in the application was interviewed. They all, but told I was hired. I was so excited!
A few days later I still hadn’t started at the job, but believed God would have me hired. It was then I received a call for the job I had wanted more than anything. To work at a comic shop, rating comics, we’re talking full-time, with benefits! But I had given my word for the other job which was part time, no benefits, no vacation or sick time and the hours would be nights 4p-11p. I had never worked nights before. I asked the Comic shop if I could make the hours work. They said no, but there were basically telling me I was hired.
That was when everything went still and I heard that voice inside. ‘So what are you going to do?’ It was as if a booming voice had declared ‘this is a test’ would I stay true to my word to both God and man? Or go for what I considered my dream job? I turned the job down and felt grieved to say the least, but I knew it was the right thing.
And now come to 2016. I have been promoted several times, from temporary staff, to part time staff, from part time staff to full time staff, and from full time staff to salary staff. And where is that comic shop today? Out of business. Online only. Though it was a difficult journey through those past 5 years at my job, there was longevity in it and only because of my obedience to God did I avoided the pit fall of the other position I would have taken. He would have still been with me and helped me, but how much heartache did I avoid? Despite all the difficulties the past few years have had, I know that I’m on the path He has for me and the future, though full of uncertainty is in His hands. I have no doubts He has plans for good and not evil! (Jeremiah 29:11)
Now come to 2017 and there have been even more trials, I’ve suffered more than one injury in the past two years, but steadily pressed in. Went to Heart Quest, had a serious encounter on a mountaintop of sorts with God. I’ve been waging a war for emotional healing from anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Some day’s are more difficult than others. However I know this, as long as I have breath in my lungs I will pour out my praise to God for getting me through another day, another hour, another minute. He inspires me, comforts me and puts people and situations into my path for my good and though I feel fear, pain and doubt. I choose to trust and follow Him. I can’t wait to see what good comes from His hands and what wonders are in the coming year.
Now, arriving at 2020. 2018 is a blur and 2019 was seen as just a beating for everyone I know, now 2020 and we have the Corona Virus, Quarantine and the loss of my former best friend due to betrayal and hurt. Struggles from past wounds, and the loss of my 16 year old fur baby. Yet, despite feeling an unprecedented amount of pain and anguish. I have also heard God more clearly, felt His comfort and hear Him speak wisdom to my heart. There are many more personal struggles I wish not to write about, but I will say this. Pain is temporary, and as long as we choose to continue working towards healing (Counseling, physical therapy, exercise and soul searching), maybe it never fully goes away, but we can overcome it.
