In my woman’s small group last night, I gave my testimony.
It took lot’s of kleenex and even more Twizzlers.
Let’s just say my life has never been boring or predictable. No. It’s actually been terribly messy… right from the start.
While I was piecing it all together to share, it was heartbreaking to see so many seasons of abuse, bad choices, and wrong motives. In my earlier years, I was hateful, hurtful, prideful and at the same time insecure, scared and deeply hurt.
Sisters, the fact that I am able to type this to you is proof positive we serve a mighty God.
I wrote a devotional a few days ago about how God is able to use anyone for His work. In it, I shared that our past failures and our present struggles don’t knock us off His list.
Our human-ness is no barrier for Him.
As I was sharing my life’s story last night, that statement came back to me and I felt such gratitude to God. Rather than write me off, He pulled me from the pit.
He restored me.
And believe me when I tell you that there was a LOT to restore.
That’s good news for you. Why? Because if God can work with my shady past, you’ve got it made. God took a broken woman with a life littered with sin and cleaned her up.
- He forgave me
- He restored my heart
- He turned my perspective from victim to victorious
- He changed my defeat into my toolbox
- He filled me with love and joy
- He blessed me with God-pointing family and friends
- He gave me an insatiable hunger for Him
- He called me into a powerful ministry
- He continues to open doors and clear paths
I’m humbled…
How do I know that it was God’s hand in all this and not a stroke of luck or my own effort? Because there are no human hands strong enough to have transformed me from a self-centered mess to a joy-filled Jesus girl. None.
Freedom from your past is possible. I’m the poster child for that truth.
I wonder… are you looking for a way out of your bad decisions and defiant choices but don’t know where to start? Pray this:
Father, I need you! Please come and restore my life because I don’t know what to do. I’m not who I want to be. I confess that I am a sinner and that I am not walking the path that leads to You. Please help me get there! I submit to Your ways and Your will and am eager to begin my new life with you. Amen.
Sisters, give God a shot.
I mean… what have you got to lose?
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Wow, thanks for sharing. I was hoping and praying it would go well. Self revealing is stressful. Never thought Twizzlers would help, but I will remember. I just blogged about how sometimes our tragedies are not about us, they are something we eventually use to draw others to God, and it sounds like you might have done that last night. May God continue to bless you. I pray for protection for you as well this week as you really ticked off the Devil by taking what HE meant for bad and turned it into glory for our Father. Thank you for be a willing vessel for the King!
Connie! Thanks for praying for me! I’m so glad we’ve connected in cyberland. And believe me when I tell you that I’m all about thwarting the plans of the Enemy. I enjoy watching him lose. 🙂
So grateful to God for redeeming our ick!
Yes, Het! And looking back I’m amazed at just how much “ick” I had! Love to you, sister!
Oh the amazing results that have been transformed from your messy. You are stunning! What a KICK you are. Thank you for reminding us there is nothing in us or our lives that is too ugly or difficult for God to transform. Love it and love you.
Thanks for standing with me, Jeanelle, and loving me regardless. That is HUGE to me!
I am humbled!
Preach it! 🙂
Story of my life, too. Thanks for sharing!! Us “messy people” have to use what we’ve gone through for HIS glory!
Amen, ML! And what a privilege to share His glory with others!!
Amen sister! I can soooo totally relate to “messy”. Your God-glorifying post was so beautifully written and so powerfully poignant! Thank you for the encouragement today!
Thanks Leah! It’s nice to know I am not alone. God is so good, isn’t He? What an act of love to restore us, eh? Appreciate your comment…
Just seeing the words LIFES BEEN MESSY….I knew I NEEDED to read this! He does grow us through all our pain and mess, doesn’t He? Just hard to see it clearly when we are stuck dead in the muck!
I’m a certified diver. Going deep into the ocean water is my kind of place. But there is something magical about being at the bottom of an ocean and beginning to slowly rise to the top. You see the light of the Son at the surface before you even reach it! And when you do, you feel thankful for where He took you and happy that you are where you are again. Until the next dive…
Sometimes where we are, in the mess, is EXACTLY where we need to be. In His time He’ll rise us up!!!
Thanks Carey for a wonderful message today! Bless you friend and Sister!