MY FAITH JOURNEY IN THE CHURCH
Growing up in church was a part of my life including going to various VBS’s, Children’s Church, Sunday School, etc. I’ve been in churches anywhere from an orderly and calm Lutheran Church to a hand-raising, tongue speaking Assembly of God Church. I was saved in a Southern Baptist Church in the 9th Grade. It was fun to go with my friends to their churches and see the different worship styles. Needless to say, I KNOW who God is and what He can do. It took a little while though for me to develop the relationship with Him that I have today. My dream in sharing this testimony with you is to give you hope in creating your own faith journey.
MY FAITH JOURNEY WHEN I WASN’T PAYING ATTENTION
God began showing me He would care for me the summer after my freshman year in college. However, I wasn’t even paying attention. I was at the University of Georgia and all set to come home for the summer to work and save up money for the next school year. At the time my parents also felt they needed to move. My grandparents were getting older and they needed my parents to be near them in Minnesota. The house sold quickly! They closed on it the beginning of the summer. Since I was already in school I decided to stay in Georgia.
A broke college student, I wasn’t sure where I would live. I had 2 full time jobs lined up that was to be my savings for the next school year. In all my worry and stress a friend “coincidentally” showed up willing to rent her bedroom out for the summer. One of my jobs also offered me work to answer the phones after business hours a couple days a week. My hourly wage was more than the wage I was making at either of my other two jobs. I basically got paid to sleep because the phone hardly ever rang. I’d guessed I just got “lucky”.
REACHING OUT IN TIMES OF NEED
Fast forward a few years, a marriage and three children later and I found myself going through a divorce. It was during this time that my faith moved forward in hyper speed. In the beginning stages I reached out to God but I honestly didn’t see how it was all going to work out. I had been at home for about 3 years with my children so I had to look for a job, childcare and go back to work. Without family nearby, I was scared, lonely and had no idea what to do. Even though I was in a fog I did know to reach out to God for help and He showed up big time. James 1:2-4 scripture was a constant reminder to me. I’ve made it my memory verse for this month which I talk about over in my Setting Goals blog.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
Through a MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) Group, a playgroup and Bible Study groups that I had belonged to I found out how valuable it is to have a network of Christian friends. I seriously can’t say enough about these women. We traded off carpooling, babysitting, they listened and guided me. You get the picture. And I KNOW that God nudged them to be there for me.
THE LIGHT WENT ON!
It took awhile but I finally got it! One day I realized, not only was I going to be just fine but I was going to thrive. I realized that God would take care of me no matter what.
After a few months of peace with those thoughts God began to move in my life! Back up about 25 years. When I was visiting my grandmother in Minnesota one summer she and another woman she worked with thought it would be nice to introduce me to this woman’s son. We had a really nice time that summer and the following Christmas. However, I lived in Georgia so we lost touch. Those were the days we had to write letters and pay for long distance calls!
Twenty-five year’s later I was visiting my grandmother again and she told me that Chris’ dad had passed away. I knew his mother had already died about 10 years prior. I felt awful for him so I found the obituary on Facebook and wrote a comment. To make it a quick story, we kept talking, eventually went on a date to see if things would work out, he moved south and are married now! See God had a plan all along. I just needed to learn and grow my faith in Him.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU CREATING YOUR FAITH JOURNEY?
You see I grew up in the church and knew who God was but I didn’t realize until much later how much He loved me and was taking care of me all along. Looking back now I feel like God was looking at me like a teenager saying “If you would listen it wouldn’t have to be so hard!”
If you don’t know where to start, first of all start in prayer. Also, Leah gave some excellent resources over in her Surrender Blog. Lastly, feel free to contact us over on the Contacts Page. Leah and I are the only ones who check those messages and keep everything confidential.
Just know I’m praying for you.
Walking in faith,
Stacia