|
foothillsgirl -> RE: Hello (8/13/2008 6:52:22 PM)
|
I have been asked to share my story with the community by my mentor. It is kind of long, so don't feel obligated to read. I just hope that my story can move people who are on the cusp of becoming lost from God back into His light. And here is my story!
I had been working in a local bookstore for nearly six years when the daily drama of working there finally became too much for me to handle. College was taking up most of my time and family issues were keeping me unfocused. It took me four months and a failed job in between to come to my current place of employment. I work at a Christian Childrens Group Home as a care giver. The funny part of this half of my story is that I had not went to church, cracked open a Bible or even discussed religion in any way that was not condemning for at least eleven years. I stopped attending church when I was 10 or 11 because I had been done wrong by many of the people there. For those years I was lost, condemning those who went to Church and those who called themselves "Christians". And I thought I was happy with my life.
The job at the childrens home fell into my lap oneday as I was perusing a job website that I had never heard of and have not been able to find since. On the last page of fifteen pages worth of jobs was the job for this christian childrens home. I called in desperation and the woman who answered told me it was not normally their policy to hire anyone under 21 years of age but she told me I could stop by for an interview anytime that week.
So, 30 minutes later I am sitting in a room at the childrens home main office talking to this woman about the job. I told her about my history and about my love for children. She hired me on the spot! She said that she loved it when God brought the perfect person right through the door. I politily nodded but internally scoffed at the thought that God could have had a hand in my new job.
Two weeks later I was working the weekend with another new woman. She was the relief house parent on the weekends when the main house parents were off. That weekend I went to church at a contemporary church in the area that I had heard of many times before. I drove to the church grumbling internally because I felt forced into going to church. I had to keep reminding myself that I had signed up for the job knowing that it was a christian ministry.
As soon as I walked into the building my entire life changed forever. I felt something in my body and mind shift ever so slightly. I couldn't put my finger on it. We dropped the children off at their respective areas and went into the service. I had never felt so moved by a sermon or by the worship singing. The pastor of the church, Greg, was hillarious but also informative. He was not the typical dry, humourless pastor you see at "steeple and bell" churches.
I cried during most of the service, feeling something stir inside of me that I had never felt before. That night I stayed after the children went to sleep to talk to my fellow co-worker about the experience I had, had. She was so happy and surprised and we talked for a few hours about God's place in my life.
Two weeks later I was baptised and the week after that I became a member of the church. It has been four months now and I am serving at church every week and attending church every Sunday. I have learned that satan will throw everything he can at Christians, especially those still young in their faith, in attempts to drive a wedge between you and God. I pray everyday for continued strength and perserverence. It is an amazing feeling to have God present so completly in my life when I had never let him move me before. Since inviting God back into my life I have changed my major in college from History to Social Work so that I can change the lives of families.
If you live in the upstate of South Carolina or near Toccoa Georgia, the church I am refering to to Foothills Community Church. The website is www.foothillscc.org for anyone who is interested in their story!
Thanks so much for reading, I hope I have helped inspire someone to turn back to God!
Marissa
|
|
|
|