I Consider Myself A Miracle....

Elizabeth,

In one word, I would describe myself as a miracle.
Before I reached the age of 14 I had been molested (multiple times.) and also raped.
All my life I tried to hide behind my personality, and my friends. I was extremely timid and never allowed anyone too close, I kept my friends as acquaintances rather than close friends simply because I felt I could trust no one, (Men or women).
I felt that I was in a hole, hiding, and I had no way out.
I would not allow anyone close enough to get to know me, keeping everyone at a distance was my defense.
If you would look at me closely you may have picked up on the clues of a wounded soul.
I hid behind big bulky clothes, baggy pants and sweaters. I wanted to blend into the background, didn’t want anyone to notice me, or find me attractive.
My summers were spent in my room, hiding and hoping the world would just go away, or that everyone would forget I existed.
I dreaded school, no matter how much I tried I just couldn’t be myself. I lived with the sense of being trapped. I wanted love, but if anyone tried to show me care I would simply push them away.

I somehow made it through High School, and at the age of 18 found myself preparing for graduation. But I still could not for the life of me figure out what I wanted to do with myself.
As I stressed over The question of what road to take, which career to choose. I would break out in tears for no reason. This would frustrate me.
I would be sure that I was alone when I cried. I never wanted to be thought of as a weak person.
One of my brothers and his friends were always encouraging me to go to this church, which I thought was ridiculous, Who has time for Church? I was too busy trying to figure out which career to choose. My concern was, what was I going to do with my life?
I would give it some thought though, because no matter where my life headed, I knew I didn’t want it to continue the way it had been. I was tired of the internal battles.

One evening my brother and his friends were getting dressed and preparing to go to church. They began to invite me to go with them. They would tell me, “Elizabeth it is no coincidence that you are here today, God wants to do something in your life, come with us. God wants to change your life.”
I had been invited many times before, but this time it began to sink in, I sensed something real taking place and to see that what they were saying was true. I could no longer dismiss them, I had to choose. This decision would affect the rest of my life, My future.
That night I went with them, The church was about a half hour walk. Well, my brothers friend took the half hour walk as an opportunity to continue to share with me how much God had done in his life.
I thought, OK, but I need to see for myself. I’d rather see it than hear it. So I figured, well if this is true, If God can really do anything in my life, it will be a miracle because at the time I truly felt as though I was going insane!
That night I gave my life to the Lord. I can now say for myself that God is real and he really can change lives.
At first I had a hard time opening up to the people at church who tried to befriend me. I spoke very little, only what was necessary to answer their question and if I could get away with it I would not answer. As I began to trust God, I eventually started trusting and opening up to people also. It has been a miracle what God has accomplished in me!
Since giving my life to Jesus, I have never looked back, I am free from my past. With God’s help, I’ve learned to deal with the things that happened to me. God is mending my heart. I am no longer hiding, I can actually talk to people when they first come to church.
Many of them have had the same awful experiences. I can totally relate to them. I know were they are coming from.

I am so amazed at God’s compassion .
When God does so much in your life, You naturally want to do the same for others. You want to shout it from the roof tops, that there is no need to stay in that pit of loneliness . Because there is a way out!
I am currently in charge of our Sunday School dept. it is called HEIR FORCE. I am blown away at what God is doing with these young kids! I’ve seen miracle after miracle working with them.

I thank God for everything he has done in my life and the fact that I get to witness and participate in helping others to find Peace and Joy in Jesus Christ.

Everyone is looking for someone to love them unconditionally. People look to men, women, alcohol, drugs, anything to fulfill their need. Even if their relief lasts only a moment. Even if later they end up paying heavy consequences. What they don’t realize is that God is there and his love is unconditional and it is unlike any other love on earth, The Bible says, That, He will give you the desires of your heart. He loves you and is calling you to him. He will be your everything if you would just allow him into your heart.
As for me, I don’t even want to imagine where I would be if I hadn’t done Just that.