Hey John,
I am typing this through tears of pure joy as I am feeling so thankful for my life and how very good Jesus has been to me. I was reading the “How I Received the Baptism of the holy Ghost” testimonies on the Isaiah 58 site (wonderful), then I went over to the “Pastor John’s House” site and looked at the slide show of my beautiful family while listening to the most beautiful music I’ve ever heard. Then….. I read my own testimony on the Marriage and Divorce section. To be reminded of how bad things were and how Jesus rescued me from that is overwhelming! To be lying here in my bed right now feeling perfectly content in a home that is peaceful and free of sarcasm and cynicism is so sweet!
When I read the part of my testimony about how I didn’t care if I lived to see my next birthday — that was so sad, and it was no exaggeration! I remember being on my face and crying saying, “God! Please get me out of this!” It’s good to remember those things, as hard as they were, because it makes me feel even more thankful for the way I am feeling right now!
When I read that about my birthday, I pictured this past year and walking into my house to my birthday surprise and seeing all of the faces of people that I love so much and that love me. (I can picture your face right in the middle of the crowd). That’s as good as it gets!! Then I thought about sitting at the kitchen table last weekend at the beach reading those beautiful stories about a relationship between my Father and his Son that touched me so deep in my soul! I want to love the people in my life the way they love each other. (We can love that way through the spirit…that is so good)!
Recently, I thought about a time several years ago when Token was testifying about reconnecting with a friend from high school and how they had been having some good conversations about the Lord and he seemed to be showing some encouraging signs of interest in the truth. She testified about how she would like to have him and his wife out to the neighborhood for supper, and how she hoped if they came to visit that some of the “neighbors” would drop in and share their testimonies with him. I remember going home so grieved that night! I told the Lord, “How can I testify to anyone when I feel like this?” I was so sad not to feel like I could testify!
So, fast forward to now and how wonderful it is to read my testimony of “rescue” on the website. To be able to write to Michelle in Florida and say “you can be happy” and mean that with my whole heart! Ohhhhh! Now that’s a testimony I love to share! It’s a testimony of hope! With Jesus, there is always hope.
When I used to get behind a car that had one of those magnetic bumper stickers that read “Life is Good”, I’d just roll my eyes and think how obnoxious those stickers are, but honestly; I wouldn’t mind having one of those stickers for my own car! 🙂 But it would need to give the credit where it’s due, “Jesus Has Made My Life Good” or something like that!
These feelings have been bubbling around in me for awhile and after reading my testimony tonight, I just had to write someone. Thank you for all of your love and your help, especially over the past couple of years! You have been a great encouragement to me!
Good night! Lee Ann