When I was asked to write my testimony, I hesitated
because I honestly don't know what to say. Which-if you know me-is a very unusual thing! I can AWAYS find something to say!
Seriously though, how do I put into mere words what God has done for me? As I
sit here writing this my mind is going 90 miles an hour remembering time after time after time that Christ has saved someone
I love or me from all sort of harm or trouble. I wish I could transfer my thoughts to screen for all of you
to see. Then you'd know what I mean! But I still don't know where to start! So after praying (something I am really trying
to do regularly before I barrel my way into something by myself as I usually do) and asking God to open my eyes to
what He wants me to share with you, this is what He said.
A long time ago I was a lost little girl-
With a heart that was breaking in two;
No matter where I looked- I saw only pain-
And I didn't know what to do.
I had a family that loved
me and lots of friends-
Yet it still felt like something was missing;
But I passed it off as just being young-
And went on with the business of living.
The years went by and I grew up-
And I learned that life can be rough;
And though I always tried to do things right-
It soon became clear - it wasn't enough.
You see, the world has a way of tearing you down-
And you need someone by your side;
Someone to hold you each time you cry-
In the silence of the dark, lonely night.
I found out Who that Someone is-
When I was seventeen;
I found the One I could always count on to be there-
And what true Love really means.
Jesus is that Someone-
And He will always be here;
All you have to do is close your eyes-
And you'll always feel Him near.
He'll take your pain upon Himself-
Just the way He did mine;
He'll chase away the clouds of grief-
And, oh, how the sun will shine!
You know, I've had a lot of sorrow in my life-
And sometimes it felt like no one cared;
There were times I didn't think I could go on-
The pain was just too much to bear.
Now when I look back on those days of sadness-
When all I could do was cry;
I remember how Jesus held me-
And how His falling tears mixed with mine.
I can still feel His arms around me-
As He held me gently through the night;
I can still feel His breath on my cheek-
As He softly whispered, "It's all right."
Yes, I still have trials and troubles-
And in this life I always will;
But now each time something happens-
I run to my Father for help.
Then He reaches down and picks me up-
And wipes away my tears;
He holds me tight and whispers-
"Don't be afraid, My child - Daddy's here."
The details of my life are not important - only the outcome is. We
all have pain and sorrow- some a lot more than others and I'm not trying to minimize anyone's trauma or suffering.
But the bottom line is the same. Our loving Father is here, patiently waiting for us to call on Him to ease our heartache
- no matter the cause. It doesn't matter who you are - not your race, not your gender, not how much money you
have or where you work or live- He loves every single one of us the same and not a tear goes unnoticed by the One who
can dry those tears and calm the storms in our lives. God brought me through every trial safe and sound and yes, stronger
than the time before though I didn't realize it at the time. If you'll stop and think about things for a minute, you'll
even remember hard times He brought you through that you didn't even know you were going through!
Please don't ever think the things you've done are too bad for
Him to love you and heal you. Or maybe think, as I often used to, that I haven't done enough for Him and so I didn't
deserve His mercy and grace. It just simply isn't true. As our pastor, friend , and mentor taught us - there is nothing
you can do to make God love you more and there's nothing you can do to make Him love you less. He loves you totally,
unconditionally, and forever. Just ask Him - He'll tell you!!
In Christ's Love,
Deana
