My Testimony

Candy and Roses and Penless Thoughts wrote their testimonies this week and it inspired me to write out my own. It is something I've always wanted to write out since reading The Purpose Driven Life [what a great book].

I grew up in a very happy household with loving parents and a brother and sister to fight with:) We went to church a few times, prayed before family dinners and were taught to know right from wrong.

I was not a rowdy, crazed teenager and thought I had it all together. I did not hang around with a bad crowd of people and I made good grades. I was involved in sports and had many friends. As a sophomore in HS, I had my eyes on a cute boy in the junior class. I watched him after lunch outside of his Biology class. Little did I know, he was watching me too.

Our first date was June 14, 1991 and we played miniature golf. We became great friends and he was never shy about telling me about his faith or his church friends (some I knew from school). He took me to a Sunday evening youth activity at a friend's house. His friends were so nice and caring. I was really drawn into the group and continued to go with him to most of the activities I could. On weekends, we did the "group dating" thing: eating out with other couples, watching movies and the like. I went to church with him on Sunday mornings a few times, but not very often.

The following winter, he and his friends invited me to come along on their youth group's winter retreat. I was able to room with some really fun gals (whose friendships I still treasure). We had a very good speaker for the weekend and we had fun out in the snow and playing card games until late at night. The church's youth group advisers were very godly couples who liked to have fun and I felt very much a part of this group.

I can remember the moment it happened. Our speaker had just finished his morning session and assigned us to prayer groups. I thought, uh oh. You see, my dad was the one who had the prayer at meals. I never did, I'd never really prayed before, especially in front of people I'd only known a few months. I began to sweat and become very anxious. What was I going to say?

My anxieties were calmed when I was placed in the same prayer group as my boyfriend's older sister. I don't remember if or what I prayed, but I was brought to tears. I wanted this. What they had. A relationship. To pray and to know someone was listening. You know. A friend. To call on in a time of need or to rejoice with. When no one else is around.

I stayed in the prayer group until the final amen was spoken and I ran up to the girls' room. But not before my boyfriend caught a look at my teary and puffy eyes.

He followed me upstairs and asked what was the matter. He was concerned that I was uncomfortable or that I wanted to go home. Absolutely not, I told him I want what they have, what he has. He prayed with me and I accepted Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life. What an awesome weekend.

On June 15, 1996, I married my best friend, that cute boy in Biology class, whom I had beaten at miniature golf 5 years prior. Isn't it so awesome to look back at our lives and see how the Lord places people in our paths? He has the perfect timing and He uses the perfect people to give us what we need - when we need it.

That is my story. Of course I am still learning and growing each day - as the title of my blog states - living to learn and learning to live. Since I've started blogging, just about a month ago, I have made some wonderful friends who have challenged me in my faith and have brought smiles to my face with your stories and insights. *Thank you fellow bloggers* Even though we don't get to sit across from one another at my kitchen table, I am encouraged by each of you!

Let me know if you post your testimony, I would love to read it!