My parents are missionaries, so I grew up hearing the gospel all my life. I made a profession of faith when I was about six. As the years went by, however, I was living a double life. I behaved very differently around my family and church than I did at school or with my friends. The hypocrisy bothered me at times, but fitting in, it seemed, was my priority.
When I was in the eighth grade, I was at a friend’s house one evening, and we decided to watch a movie. I deliberately picked one that I knew I wouldn’t be allowed to watch at home. It was Footloose, which is about the rebellious daughter of a pastor. As the movie unfolded, it portrayed not only her sin, but also her father’s great sorrow. At one point in the movie my friend looked over at me and said, “That’s kind of like you, isn’t it?” When she said that, it was as if my eyes were suddenly opened. Although I had not done many of the things the girl in the movie did, I saw clearly that if I didn’t make some big changes, I would soon be where she was, for I was traveling the same road. The hardest thing to think about was causing my father pain for we were very close, and I realized that if I caused my earthly father grief, how much more grief I would cause my heavenly Father.
In the weeks and months that followed, I struggled with wanting to change, but feeling like I couldn’t. My dad preached on II Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” At this point, I really began to doubt my salvation.
The day I finished my eighth grade year, alone on my bed in the dark, I committed my life to the Lord. I no longer wanted to live for myself, but for Him. There were things I was doing that I knew were wrong, and I quit doing them that day. Other things I am still realizing on a daily basis are not in alignment with my Savior’s will. He is continuing to change me, to bring more and more to light that I need to change, and I trust that He will continue to do so until I see Him in glory!
This post is linked to Women in the Word Wednesdays and Works for Me Wednesday.
You must have been mature very early. That’s a deep realization for a 13 year old to make.
Ah, it’s our testimonies that say so much about us – especially when we can be honest… Thanks for sharing this.
I followed your link from GMG….thank you for sharing your testimony. Life is a journey, we continue to be refined if we are willing. I love the verse that touched your heart and got you thinking – it’s a GREAT promise! =)
Keeping it Personal,
Teri Johnson
I love hearing testimonies. It’s a great comfort to know that people we know here on earth, love and share time with, we will also get to do so with them in heaven. So glad to have you as a sister in-law and a sister in Christ! =)
I don’t think it’s too young at all. I was saved very early as well, but made re-committments as I got older. Thanks for sharing!
I had JUST finished blogging about my testimony and somehow seen a link to yours. Reading it has been a HUGE blessing! It was a LOT like mine. Thanks so much for sharing…I LOVE to hear others testimonies.
Julie
Ah…I LOVE hearing of the moment God’s Spirit gives us understanding and calls us to Himself! Isn’t He good? Convicting of sin, yet comforting with understanding of Christ’s substitution for us. Makes me love Him more and more!
-J
Thank you for sharing your testimony, I love reading them. I am so impressed that you knew that at such a young age, I discovered it much later. You are so right that we continue to be changed and molded into who we should become, thanks again!
I remember our conversation about this many years ago. I have a similar double life testimony and a movie that started it all, but my Jr. High turnaround was due to KP Yohannan speaking at our church. I think my biggest frustration in youth ministry today is that parents do not think that God is big enough or capable enough to speak that level of truth into their young teens. The answer is that not only that He can but does all the time. Thanks for reminding me of this great truth and sharing how God has worked in your life!
Many of us went through rebellious periods. I know I did. But God is so good. He keeps reaching out to us and forgives. He loves prodigals and calls them home. Thank you for sharing this.
I always love to read people’s testimonies. God reels us in when our hearts stray from Him. I’ve seen it so many times in my own life.
Beautiful testimony.
I guess that is why I like your blog so much…even though I didn’t know it! We are BOTH MKs! It also makes sense to me, the premise of your blog, LAUGHTER! Growing up in Haiti, that is what HAD to help us get through some crazy circumstances! It looks like in all of your choices — good & bad — that QUALITY stuck…GOOD!
Where were they missionaries? Are they still there?
What a great testimony! Thanks so much for sharing it… I was encouraged today!
I have recently written my testimony in three books, would you be interested in reviewing them in your blog as I see so many people love to read testimonys? They are the books in the Loving Life Series here http://kingsdaughters21.blogspot.com/p/books.html
Thank you so much for sharing your testimony too. There is so much power in sharing what Jesus has done in our lives, isn’t there?
xxx
Why is it that we can know God but choose not to follow Him? Thanks for sharing and encouraging us to share our stories too.
This was really encouraging to me. Sometimes we look at the people we respect and look up to spiritually and think “They are perfect. They have it all together.” And then we look at ourselves in comparison, and don’t even come close to matching up. Just to read your story of conversion, to hear how closely it resembles mine, and to read that you still struggle with things even now but God is daily showing you areas of change…it all is truly a blessing to me. I know I’m not the only one who still struggles daily, but to be told such by someone like you, it makes me feel like there’s still hope for me. haha ^_^;; Thank you!! This truly was a God-send for me today!
I LOVE reading the testimony of others!! Having not grown up in a saved household, mine is different, but the same God who saves us all! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome testimony – thanks for sharing!
I love how God uses others to show us Himself. Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t it amazing to hear what God can use to show us his truth? This was a sweet/powerful story, thanks for sharing.
Beautiful. And it shows in how you deal with people.
Beautiful! It is so interesting to hear what God uses to bring us to Him.