I went through a period of my life where I wasn't sure exactly where I fit
in. My parents were divorced when I was a little girl. No one could fully
explain the who, why or when to me. All I knew was I didn't live with Daddy
or my sisters any more. For a long time, people told me it had nothing to
do with me. I now know that even though it really had nothing to do with
me, it still affected my life a great deal.
I searched and searched for relief from my pain. I searched in the bottle
and then I tried drugs. Still I had no relief. Yes, the alcohol and drugs
numbed my pain. But when the effects wore off, I still had pain. Then
finally on a cold Sunday afternoon in Germany in a small army chapel, I
heard the voice of God say, "It's time". I remember looking around thinking
someone had whispered in my ear. Then I heard the voice again and I knew in
my heart that it was time to give my life to God. That was eleven years
ago.
What happened to the pain? I gave it all to Jesus. The Bible says, "Cast
all your cares upon him, for he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). He took away
the deep and festering wounds of my childhood. That little lost girl is no
longer; a saved and healed woman emerged out of the ashes. "Weeping may
endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" (Psalm 30: 5). People
often ask me why I praise the Lord the way I do. To put it simply: He gave
me "beauty for ashes".
No matter what the situation in our lives is, there is hope. There is
nothing too hard for God. He will work it out. There is definitely a light
at the end of the tunnel and his name is Jesus. There is an old saying,
"Jesus may not come when you want him, but he is always on time". My
brothers and sisters, be encouraged and be strong. Remember all God's
promises are yea and amen.
