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A NEW BEGINNING
 I was born during the great depression, August 3, 1928 in a small farming community in North Louisiana. We were poor by the world’s standards, but so rich in love. We lived with or near my Mother’s family in my early years. They didn’t teach me, as much as they lived their faith. I thought this was the norm for everyone. We did not have a church but a building which served as a church when a visiting Preacher came. Now that was truly an “inter-denomination” church. We also walked the gravel roads to get there, which was not often.
I did not grow up in Sunday school, as my children have. I did not hear all the Bible stories because the folks worked from daylight to dark trying to provide for us.
What I did see and hear were the many prayers. At my Grandparents house we had early morning prayers (all kneeling), then the Blessings at every meal, then at night all who were on the premises (including my Aunt’s dates) had to come in for Evening Prayers (kneeling).
What I did learn was the favorite old hymns that have come down through the ages. “BLESSED JESUS” became one that I sang constantly, silently. I know now this was my first step of faith; as I’ve taught children, God doesn’t have any Grandchildren. I determined in my youth that I would learn the Bible (couldn’t understand the King James Version), and speak to children’s level, explaining the “big” words meaning. I was blessed to have a Children’s Ministry in both L.A. and Louisiana.
Life was full of trials as I was growing up. I married early, had three beautiful children, then after 21 years the marriage dissolved. I moved to Los Angeles and was a 40+ in a strange world. I was hurt and very untrusting, especially of women. I guess I was in rebellion, actually free for the first time in my life, disappointed in life is a minor statement.
I realize now I did not KNOW God, but had heard a lot about Him. I had NEVER heard of a PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP, but I am not alone, many tell me the same and we were in church. I’m sure the message was there, but we missed the connection. I had pastors that I loved, but people always “assumed” I knew more than I did.
After a few years I met and married someone that loved me very much. He opened a whole new world for me. It was fun, for a few years, but then I started a deep hunger to be in church. I searched, but could not find one. Then my Boss met the Lord and started glowing, and when he and his wife invited me to their church, my world changed again.
When I walked into the door, I felt something – I know now was the Spirit moving, the people were so caring; I thought we Southerners were friendly, but we didn’t come close! At lunch I told them that if I could find a church like that I’d be gone in a minute. On Monday morning she called and gave me the address of a sister church less than a mile from my home.
There I met a retired Missionary couple (China) that took me under their wings. I was led to read books by Cathryn Marshall and in one she is watching her Mom walking with her lips moving, and she knew she was talking to her Lord. I wanted that, so immediately I was on my knees asking for that type relationship. I had been devouring the Bible, and I knew He would listen.
A few nights later Jesus came to me in either a dream or a vision (I call it my Night Vision), I was showered with love. I could not move because I didn’t want to break the spell. My life was NEVER the same.
The next morning I felt something I had never experienced, it took a little while to realize it was a deep peace, in the midst of the storms all around me. My husband was terminally ill by this time and close members of my family in Louisiana were dying. When I went outside, I circled around the bugs, no way could I have taken even a bugs life.
Through all the battles Jesus was there. His strength sustained me through the loss of my only sibling (15 months in a coma), and the loss of my husband. He has fulfilled dreams that only He and I knew about, and continues to Bless me and teach me.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY |