** Please welcome Sharon at [email protected], who is guest posting here today.
Because of My Story
by Sharon
My husband has often said, “I wish I had a testimony–a story–like yours.”
And I’ve said back to him, “I would rather to have had a family like yours and no testimony to share.”
When I was five years old, my dad left me and my sisters. When he did, our mother left us emotionally. Their divorce was devastating and from then on, emptiness and questions would follow me all the way into my adult years.
I heard a speaker once say, “Instead of writing off our past, or discounting it, we should authenticate the role it has played in our life.” Though my past has been a journey of broken stories and relationships, I’ve realized over time that I am who I am today because of it. God is a God who heals broken hearts. And as this verse says…
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to give you a hope and a future, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
His plans are good…
Because of my story: I can walk alongside wounded people and truly understand.
Because of my story: I can be a child advocate and can say, “I was there too, I understand the sad heart.”
Because of my story: I can be a better mother and grandmother.
Because of my story: I understand the tears.
Because of my story: I know what a broken spirit is.
I am not angry or embittered because of what I went through. I am beginning to understand…
God knew I would become a whole person, able to serve him, with a purpose. He allowed some difficult things to take place. It took me a long time to understand it, but now I know my past has purpose. There is meaning to my story.
There’s a meaning to yours, too.
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.” – Jeremiah 31:3
Sharon lives in Oregon, has two grown children and six precious grandchildren, and has been married for 36 years. Her story is a beautiful reminder of God’s hand in our lives. You can reach her at [email protected].