I've Got A Testimony...

In the Acts 22 episode of Faith Sisters Mornings With Jesus, we were reminded that our testimony is not just about us. The testimony is a reflection of how amazing God has been in our lives. 

A challenge was given to write out our own testimony. I thought this would be an easy post to write. So many lessons learned and blessings given to me by God that I should have no problem with a quick post. But when I dug into what my testimony is even at a surface level, I began to cry. However, I felt the tug of the Holy Spirit for me to keep writing. 

So... here goes nothing...

Written May 23, 2023:

#testimonytuesday 🎶God has smiled on me, He's been good to me.🎶

I grew up in a tight-knit, Christian, military family that traveled as my Dad was stationed at different places around the world. My childhood was great as my parents taught my younger brother and I about the Lord through church, music ministry, and their own examples. My sophomore year of college, I received a call from my mom that my father had been killed when his helicopter was shot down in Iraq. Devastated, I returned to school after the funeral at my mom's request, but I turned away from God. I was hurt, mad, and any gospel song was too painful to listen to because of growing up in a music ministry household. The rest of college and most of my 20s was spent working and clubbing. Literally, I would work Monday - Friday and manage to party sometimes Wednesday- Sunday. BUT GOD... My best friend invited me to a church she was going to and my relationship with God was restored. (MY SIDE anyway, cause He had always been there watching over me). Fast Forward a bit to now I'm working, partying, and praising God (literally would go from the club to the choir stand). Well, after some time, I slowed down on partying just a bit, and started doing more "church stuff". Next thing I know, I almost passed out in the choir stand because I was so busy. BUT GOD... I landed a new job in Boston. I knew only one person there. But I heard God tell me it was my way to get out of the lifestyle I was in and basically a fresh start. So I packed up everything I could fit into my Toyota Corolla, sold everything else, and I left North Carolina and everything I knew. 

Little did I know, what else was in store on that drive. I was in Boston for a few months before I found out I was 7 months pregnant. That gave me 2 months to get my mind right in a new city with a new job. It was one of the most peaceful 2 months I have ever had in my life! In my studio apartment of 400 Sq ft, I rededicated my life to Christ, I prayed, and I started reading the Bible again. My daughter was born... and my momma came and snatched us out of Boston. 🤣 So we moved back home to Virginia... a place I said I would never go back to for the pain and reality of my Father's death was there. BUT GOD... I lost my job, I realized that my daughter's father was not going to be an active participant, and postpartum was all happening while this beautiful baby was staring up at me. I almost lost my mind several times in this house in Virginia. Thankfully, God blessed me and my mom was there to help every step of the way. A few months after being there, my mom suggested I get out a bit. I had literally became a hermit. So I ended up on some apps... everything from mommy and me apps to dating apps. BUT GOD... I ended up meeting the man I would eventually marry through a dating app. He has been a part of my daughter's life steadily since she was 1.5 years old... and he proposed to me on her 3rd birthday. I started therapy (again) for the grief I experienced with my father's death. We have an amazing local church family. And the rest is history... we will celebrate 5 years of marriage this coming November... and the Warrior Wives group came about because of a need I had to make sure I wasn't going crazy inside of my marriage as I am learning more from this journey and marriage ministry too.

So woo... when I say, God has smiled on me. There is no way I will stop giving Him the glory, honor, and praise. Cause He loved me enough to keep me from myself... and to be with me inspite of me not wanting Him for a period of time. I'm thankful that God never threw me away. Not even when my sins feel too big to come back from, Holy Spirit is there... BUT GOD!