My Testimony
How do I write this? How do I begin to introduce you to someone who has done such amazing things in my life? I grew up the youngest of six girls in a Christian home, so I cannot ever remember a time when Dad and Mom didn’t honor Jesus in our home. My early recollections were in Sunday School and weekly Sunday attendance at Sherman Street CRC. Jesus was at work forming me as I listened and watched the adults in my life. I believe I started in Jesus at a very early stage in my life. I’m thinking back to a time when I consciously prayed to the Lord Jesus on my own, without the prompting of an adult.
My parents took my family yearly for a week vacation to a lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I loved that place. I also remember a moment in particular when I was sitting on a log at the beach by Big Manistique Lake. I remember gazing into endless blue. The blue lake sparkled and the blue sky invited my gaze. A gentle breeze and quiet peace stirred my heart to speak quite naturally (as children do) to Jesus. I never wanted this moment to ever end, so I asked Jesus if He would let me come to heaven, too. There, in that moment sitting on a log by a lake, Jesus heard and answered me. As a little girl, my attention moved on as my life did, but I remember a joy at the time that I could not explain or fully understand. Jesus answered my prayer with His salvation full and free. I went on living, not understanding completely how to follow Him. I do not have space enough to tell you all that Jesus has done for me, or the adventures He has taken me on. I am only 61 years old, but I could write a book about what the Lord has done and is still doing. You see, I’m a slow learner, yet Jesus has taught me so much about Himself in the Bible and in my life. He has traced His life into my life and taken away my sin and sorrow. Isaiah 53:4 tells me “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows.” You see, I could tell you of many times when I trusted myself and my own instincts to a ruinous result. Yet, my Lord Jesus was faithful to me, because He carried those stumbles, those selfish sins to a cross. He was bruised so I could be healed as Isaiah 53 states. The Lord Jesus bore the wrath I deserved so He could form in me His attributes of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). I’m a disciple of Jesus. When Jesus said “follow me” (John 1:43) to His disciples, that meant me, too! You see, just like the disciples of old, Jesus has written Himself into the pages of my life. The disciples were eye witnesses to Jesus healing, feeding, raising the dead, forgiving sin, making the dumb to speak, the blind to see; I am also the eye witness to all He is doing in my life. I know I have fallen short as Romans 3:23 tells us. I have missed God-given opportunities and have made wrong choices and have had bad attitudes. But praise God, Jesus has the final word! The Lord wrapped Himself in my flesh and took my punishment for my sins so He could answer the cry of a little girl’s heart wish to be able to come to heaven, too. Today, I get to live in the indescribable joy of intimate fellowship with Him, because my sin is removed and is no longer in the way of my relationship with Him. Scripture to me is no longer a sad letter or dry history, because the Holy Spirit is making it a living reality in my life. His Word is active in my heart and has made me a new creation as 2 Corinthians 5:17 states! What an adventure it has been! What amazing depths of love and sorrow! Great is His Faithfulness! I only pray that you, too, come to know His great love for you.