My Testimony

I accepted Jesus as my Savior at an early age but my life has been anything but easy.  When my daughters were just starting elementary school, I was diagnosed with Lupus and Fibromyalgia which cause chronic pain and other organ complications.  When my daughters were in high school my husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 stomach cancer and had to undergo extensive radiation and chemotherapy. The doctors were surprised that he survived. A year later my oldest daughter passed away after an auto accident.

I have shared these things but have felt that “someday” I would have a testimony - “Someday” when I have it all together - “Someday” when my sorrow is under control - “Someday” when I get the happy ending.  Well, I realized that my testimony is now.  My testimony is that I’m still here and that I lived through all of these struggles, even the death of a child.  My sorrow still exists.  My fear that something else will happen to my husband or my younger daughter still exists.  I don’t have all the answers for someone who has lost a loved one.  I don’t have all the answers for the wife who is watching her husband battle a deadly disease. 

What I do have is the presence of God. My promise from Him is “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Exodus 33:14.  He carried me through every moment, every tear, and continues to minister to me daily.  What I do have is the hope that is found in Jesus – the gospel that because He loved me so much, He died and took on my sins so that I could not only see my daughter again someday but that I could see Him face to face.  Because of His great sacrifice and the grace that is lavished on me daily, I have the freedom to carry on, the freedom to have joy despite my sorrow.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

God never promised that this life would be easy for Christ Followers.  The earth we live on is not a perfect place.  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33.  He did promise His presence and the Hope that only comes through Jesus.

^“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
 1 Peter 1:3-7