Because of the seeds that you planted in my life at an early age, I have overcome some very difficult circumstances. There were times that I know you felt like giving up but I thank God that you did not turn your backs on me! For all of the times that I hurt you and disobeyed you, I apologize! I wish that I had listened to you in my younger days because I know now that you had my best interest at heart! You did the best that you could and you are not responsible for the choices that I have made, I am. My disobedience hurt God, you, my children and myself. I thank God that you raised me in church and that I attended Sunday School because it's those Sunday School lessons that kept bringing me back home safely!
My Sunday school teachers, Mrs. Corrine Jones, Debra Brooks, the late Mrs. Mary Berrian and Mrs. Gaines thanks for everything! Like the Prodigal Son, If I would not have traveled the roads that I have traveled or made the mistakes that I have made...I would not have learned the lessons that I have learned! If I would not have wandered in the wilderness, I would have never found myself. If I never had a problem, I would not know that Jesus could fix it! If I didn't have trials to overcome, I would not be an overcomer! If I would have never cried, Jesus would not have been able to wipe away all of my tears. If I would not have...you could be reading my obituary, instead of this newsletter!
Luke 15:17-24, And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Like the Prodigal Son, I have returned home and I will celebrate! I will sing unto the Lord! I will sing to Him a new Song! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Dad, for listening to God when He told you that mom was the one! (Smile) Because you picked the best! Thanks for making sure that my children and I had everything that we needed. Thank you for making my uncomfortable situation, comfortable. In excruciating pain, I could not get out of bed for Thanksgiving dinner of 99 but that was the best Thanksgiving that I ever had.
Not because Mom cooked all of our favorite dishes but because I had two loving parents, who together with my children were taking care of me! For all of the pain that I endured, those special moments made it possible for me to look past my situation. God showed me that I have two special parents and three special children that loved me!
God used that time to show me how blessed I am. God also used that time to heal our wounds and to strengthen our relationship! We got so much closer and I am thankful for all of the times that we have shared then and now! We have all grown, individually and collectively! I thank God for strengthening our family tree! For every tear that I cried, you silently cried with me! With every smile that I smiled, you smiled with me! With every hug that you gave me, I knew that everything was going to be all right because I had my dad by my side!
Thank you daddy for the sunshine that came in the form of the many things that you did for me! Thank you for your many words of encouragement and for letting me know that I am doing a good job raising my children alone, as a single parent! Thank you for your many trips to Pathmark to pick up my prescriptions! Thank you for your many, many trips to the mechanic! It seems like every time you got something fixed, something else would break but through it all, good Old Betsy sure has been good to me!
Thanks dad, for sharing and assisting mom with me, during my pregnancy, accident and recovery. I love you!
Thank you both for being the best parents in the whole wide world! I LOVE YOU BOTH!
My Testimony
October 30, 1998 I was injured on my job during my 5th month of pregnancy, when my co-worker removed my chair and replaced it with a broke chair at my desk and I fell to the floor! My placenta was separated and I have suffered a severe separation of my symphysis pubic bone (Pelvic).
On January 11, 1999, Worker's Compensation denied my claim and told me that I was home because of my pregnancy and not because of the injuries that I sustained from this fall. I was placed on complete bedrest for the remainder of a perfectly healthy pregnancy that was not filled with excruciating pain. I suffered with sever pelvic, leg, back, shoulder and neck spasms through out the pregnancy, delivery and presently am in discomfort but it is not as severe. I have graduated from physical therapy 3x's
a week to once a week. To God be the glory!
My boss terminated me on the same day! I filed a complaint was later reinstated with a medical leave without pay.....only to be officially terminated in 3/00, in which they did not notify me until mid June of that same year about the termination. Talk about mistreatment!
My church had a large sick/prayer list and I started calling people and sharing the word with them for encouragement. As I did this, the Lord began to minister to me through these individuals that I was calling. I began to take my eyes off of my situation and began to see the needs of my brothers and sisters in Christ! As difficult as my situation appeared to me, God began to show me that my life wasn't nearly as bad as some of these people that I was calling and praying for!
Shortly after this accident the Lord told me to end my relationship with my daughter's father or go to hell. Of course I ended the relationship and oh how difficult it was. I didn't want to raise another child alone but I was in an unauthorized relationship and if I didn't take heed to the Lord, I wasn't going to be around to see much of anything!
Where I felt like I was dying, I was! In my hurt and pain, I began to encourage those that were less fortunate than me. I was sending inspirational emails to my family & friends and those seeking prayer on message boards, when the Lord gave me the vision for my website, Arise & Shine For Jesus
My valley experience has taught me how to humble myself and submit to God's authority in my life! No more playing! No more games! It was time to be real with God and with myself! I learned that if I truly loved the Lord, I would keep His commandments:) If I kept His commandments it meant that I trusted Him with my life! This wasn't easy for me because all of my life, I was protecting myself from those that had hurt me and in the process, I blocked God out too! The only person that I trusted was me. In so many words, I became my worst enemy.
Today, Hallelujah, I am safe in the Master's Hands! As I continually to submit to Him on a daily basis, He is revealing His perfect will to me. The gift of writing that I have is connected with the call that God has placed on my life! As I write for Him, I am sowing seeds that He will reap! (Smile)
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. I believe with all of my heart, that I am exactly where God wants me to be! I am writing for the Lord, from my heart what He gives me to write! My reward is having all of my needs met by my Heavenly Father! I may not have money, the material things that I used to have, a job, insurance or some of the wants of my family but I have peace that passes all understanding!
Stepping out in FAITH, I continue to push my way through this storm. I filed an appeal of the denial of Worker's Compensation and the judge denied this appeal in November 2000. I filed another appeal and am waiting for the judge's decision regarding this matter. June 2003, my 5th appeal was denied and dismissed and to that I say, I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Without an income, not one of my bills have been shut off! Every month my rent is paid and my cabinets are full! My only income is child support and I faithfully pay my tithes out of every check! What I can't maintain, the Lord has blessed my parents to stand in the gap for me! Not to mention that my mother had to move in with me for 6-8 weeks because I couldn't get around or take care of my newborn daughter or my 2 sons.
I wanted to be a blessing to my parents to show them how much I love, honor, respect and appreciate them. I believe with all of my heart that they will receive double for helping my children and I! Please pray their strength in the Lord! This whole situation has changed my whole family!
My parents have watched me grow into a strong Christian woman that wont give into to life's struggles. Has it been easy? No! Has lives been changed? Yes! One of the biggest joys is the ability to be home with my children. We have grown in leaps and bounds. They have been so essential to my growth, spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally!
Philippians 4:4-13,
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
The Lord has become my source for everything and I have learned how to trust Him through this difficult time in my life!
To see my special tribute to the Lord of Lords and King of Kings,
click on the hands lifted up with praise below.
