Posted on 01/16/2021 8:57:20 AM PST by Mrs. Warrior
My mother and stepfather had a very harsh view of God. As children we were not allowed to watch television, we had no celebrations of any kind. Since I was a stepchild, I was made to work till exhaustion doing household chores. As I became a teenager and was developing into a young woman, they told me that I was being sinful and overeating. They locked me in a basement with no food only water. I had a dream of becoming a missionary nurse, they told me I was too stupid to waste money on. They wanted me to stay and be their servant.
But God had a good plan for my life. Jesus came to me and gently asked me to see myself as a sinner that needed saving, He had such love and kindness that I trusted Him and asked for forgiveness of my sin and for Him to be my savior. I was flooded with warmth and love. Being brainwashed into thinking that I was too sinful to be of any value to God, learning about grace, God's unmerited unearned favor, He took the wounded parts of my broken heart, and made His home in me, then I became home to myself. When God told me that being His child and my love was my gift to Him, our friendship has grown sweeter. I did not know how bound I was until I learned how free I became. Let no man steal your joy.
God sent my husband into my life. When we were married he became my guide into a whole new world. When he took me grocery shopping I did not understand that you could choose the food you wanted. When I had my first birthday celebration it was such a fun time. We started to celebrate the birth of the Savior and all birthdays were made special. When I was pregnant with our children, I was so in love with the gift of carrying life. My husband and I serve one another out of love, we have been humble friends.
While swimming in our outdoor pool, I once found a water logged dragon fly. I lifted it gently in my hand and let the sun dry it for awhile, then I breathed on its wings to lift them up. I whispered, “okay little guy, its time for you to fly”. I noticed it had delicate golden gossamer wings when it rose up and flew away. The moment became magnified with joy for me. I learned that like an artist who paints bright colors on a canvas each moment that I have, if I am not bitter, if I fill that moment with gratefulness to God, then on gossamer wings of hope, I become an artwork of the Creator.
When we had granddaughters they were so full of joy. I cherish playing and chatting with them and sharing in their laughter. When the rabbits in our yard chase each other around, the grand children asked me why? I thought the best answer was to make someone else answer. Then I came up with a simple response: “so we can have more rabbits next year”.
Several years ago, I was assaulted and I suffered a stroke and have encephalomacia, or a scar in my brain. This condition in extremes can lead to a coma and death. I struggled to find the way to accept the losses of my freedoms and God reminded me that on the cross Jesus cried out “Father forgive them”. God gave me a covenant that he would uphold my life by His righteous right hand. Over the years I was able to help my family find their way to salvation. Sometimes my family will to do things that physically I can no longer do. So I enjoy watching them and sharing in their activities as much as I can.
We are going to celebrate my birthday soon. As we age and enter the time in life when our outer frames become more ready for heaven, the inner man is renewed day by day. Someday when the rapture happens my family's souls will rise to be forever with the Lord. Our new mansion and the joys of being completely freed from the fallen nature and of sin will make the earthly freedoms seem like we never knew the extent of the of our redemption and salvation; until our joy is complete we live in the joy of Jesus.
Beautifully written, Mrs. Warrior. Thank you for sharing that.
You are a perfect example of faith. I am so glad you got out of the basement and God so richly blessed you.
A beautiful testimony, thank you for posting it.
Intensely beautiful and vivid testimony, Mrs. Warrior! Feeling a bit despondent today, it was absolutely who I most needed. Our Jesus! Thank you, my FRiend.
Indeed!
how humble i feel after reading this. An honor that you shared this with us.
Outstanding testimony.Wish I had that kind of faith.
Glory to God!
“God sets the lonely in families”...Psalm 68
“He settles the childless woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.”...Psalm 113
That is beautiful.
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