The Weekly Encourager – November 1, 2017 – My Testimony

Recently, Dave and I were asked to write our Christian testimonies in 300 words. For me, this was a great opportunity to reflect upon how the Lord drew me to Himself many years ago, and how far I've come by His grace.  I highly recommend this exercise for every Christian.  I'm sure you will be encouraged in the Lord!  You may also be enabled to encourage someone else He puts in your path.

My Christian Testimony (short version, September 2017)

 I was raised in an upper middle class household in Northern Virginia. My parents, both of proud, independent, hardworking Scots-Irish heritage, were raised on rural farms in Appalachia. After putting themselves through college, they married and moved here to find jobs in the big city, leaving the Southern Baptist faith of their parents behind. My main exposure to Christianity was going to church with my grandparents a few times each summer.

 In general, my home life was not happy. My parents were very critical, perfectionistic high-achievers, and they raised me to be the same way. There was little affection and no positive reinforcement for doing well, only punishment for not performing. Some of what happened would be called child abuse today. My brother and I fought constantly; my parents took his side. At age six, I was sexually abused several times by a male babysitter, but I never told my parents, knowing that they wouldn't believe me. Later I was abused by others. Also at age six, I was a latch-key kid, responsible for picking up my four-year old brother from preschool.

 When I was a teenager, my combative parents got divorced, and we kids lived with my mother. After about a year, they re-married on April Fools Day, but it didn't last, so they divorced each other for the second time when I was 16. I was alienated and sad. I did not feel loved or valued by my family.* Consequently I looked for love from friends, sometimes making mistakes I regretted. I couldn't trust my family; I had learned how to lie, cheat, and steal.

 In seventh grade, another student invited me to a worship service. The House of Bread was a large charismatic fellowship meeting in the basement of Truro Episcopal Church. When I got there, I immediately saw that they had what I longed for: love, joy, and peace. I was looking for love and they offered total unconditional acceptance. I began going regularly, reading the Bible, and learning dozens of Scripture songs. I was searching for a reason to live and they told me, “Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you.” I would come home from school and read the Bible for hours and compose songs to God. Reading the New Testament in order, I was saved – gradually – somewhere around I Corinthians. The Holy Spirit used the love of believers, the gift of music, and the power of His Word to reach my heart with the amazing truth that God loved me, forgave all my sin through Christ's death and resurrection, and had a plan for my life.

 A high school friend invited me to McLean Presbyterian Church, where her father was a respected elder (Ed Keck). I was baptized by Pastor Steve Smallman and became an active member, soaking up all the truth and love I could. My parents were not pleased. For about two years, I experienced persecution from my own family: they mocked me, would not allow me to go to church on Sunday mornings, etc. However, an ex-nun was teaching science at my school, and I joined her after-school Bible study, which was wonderful. I continued to read and pray on my own. God was always with me.

 While I was in college, both parents abandoned me (long story). I became not a ward of the state, but a ward of the church. When I was at school, the Charlottesville Mennonite Church had a huge influence on my life through their teaching, lifestyle, and hospitality. When at home, members of MPC took me in, stored my possessions, drove me to summer jobs, helped me pay for college, etc. In addition to meeting very real practical needs, they taught the Bible, encouraged me, counseled me, prayed for me, loved me. I was showered with kindness. In a very real sense, the church had become my family.

 I could not write enough books to tell all that the Lord has done in my life since I was saved at around age 13-14. My boyfriend Dave was saved and Steve Smallman married us. We were given two wonderful sons, then helped found New Hope Presbyterian Church, where we had many good years rich with God's blessings. I am 60 now, and the Scripture songs I learned as a pre-teen have rescued me, encouraged me, and pointed me back to Christ many times. I have had struggles and sorrows, but the Lord has been with me through them all. Each time, my faith has been strengthened. I have never doubted His love for me. I have been blessed to see how the Lord has used my experience to encourage others. God is faithful.

 Here are a few of my life verses that sum up my testimony.

 “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me up.” - Psalm 27:10

 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Hebrews 13:5

 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” - Jeremiah 31:3

 “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 1:6

 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion, and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” - I Corinthians 1:4

 [* Footnote: After he left home, my brother called me to apologize, I forgave him, and we moved forward.  I am so thankful now to have such a wonderful brother!  By God's grace, all three family relationships were eventually restored. Much healing has taken place, to the glory of God. God is faithful!]