Our church does them once or twice a year. Last year we had helped out and it was so inspiring. There were people who had planned on doing it, but so many people felt the urge and did it spontaneously. I knew Jesse was on the verge last year and asked him about it. We decided to do it and plan on doing it. So we wrote our story, taped it and today's the day. Here's the story that I will share with my church today:
My husband and I started trying to have a family a year after we were married. We soon learned that this would be a difficult road for us. Although I had gone to church all my life and believed in God, I began to grow bitter and stoppedgoing to church as a result of all the pain of the infertility. I put my focus entirely and completely in finding a way to have a baby. I began to realize that something was missing and began searching. That was when we decided to check Kensington out. I remember the first service we heard Dave do was about surrendering. I felt that God was speaking to me. It was my first church experience where I actually got something out of the sermon. I have since realized that I am not complete and something is missing. However, it’s not the baby that I long for that’s missing, it’s Jesus. I know, today, that whatever happens in our lives is ultimately up to God. I know my journey will not be a walk in the park. There will be days that will hurt, there will be days that it will be hard to get through, but I know with all my heart and soul that God loves me and is with me. I don’t know how our story will end, only He knows that. I trust He has a plan for us and I surrender it all to Him.
There's been some backlash from some of my family members because I'm not going to be "Catholic" anymore. I really don't get it. I'm, obviously, not one to get hung up on titles. Yes, I don't go to a Catholic church anymore. I'm sorry, I went for 29 years. I felt like something was missing, began searching and found the church we currently go to. In the past 2 1/2 years we have started going there we met people who have inspired us and helped us become closer to God. I, now, have a relationship with God. I read the Bible daily (well...I try to! Most days I achieve this!) and I know Jesus and love him. Isn't that all that matters?!
Jesus said following him would cause troubles in your life. If my family can't accept that I don't see my religion as a Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, whatever thing...I follow Jesus, I believe in God and I try to be the best person I can. Today is about proclaiming this in front of everyone! I'm so excited!!
10 comments:
Thanks for sharing what you wrote. It is very inspiring! We'll be thinking of you today! However you choose to worship is fine with me! As long as you are thankful for what God has given you, a good person, and are respectful to others, it doesn't matter! I know plenty of people who are outspoken Catholics or other religions and are just downright mean so obviously all of the time they spend at church and praying that they are so outspoken about isn't making an impression on how they choose to act towards others.
Congratulations!! What a huge step!! I'm sorry that your family isn't being more supportive, but hopefully one day they'll see what a wonderful thing this is!
(I was baptized as a child and have thought about doing it as an adult, just to reinforce my relationship with God, but have yet to actually do it...one day. =) )
That is a big step that many people are afraid to take. I believe that baptism is an outward sign of an inward change and your testimony certainly shows that. God will honor your decision to stand for Him. Have a wonderful day!
Praise God for the work he has done in your life! So excited and thankful for your baptism today! Thanks for sharing your testimony :)
makingmemom.blogspot.com
Oh, sweetie! Soooo happy for you! Loved what you wrote, too. Beautiful!!
SOOOOO awesome! Congrats! What a huge milestone in your faith.
I'm so proud of you guys. It was a special day for sure!
Love you,
Kami
Congrats on making this decision, despite other's views. I hope it went just as you hoped it would.
This is such an awesome testimony! So happy for you to have found a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior! I don't think I could've done our adoption process w/o Him and now we have 6+ and praying that our little one is holding on! He's the reason I can get thru today! Praise God for leading you to know Him more!
I just found your blog as I follow a lot of EA blogs. I simply had to comment on this big step you've made! I, too, was raised Catholic. I never really felt like something was missing, but when I went to college, the folks I was attracted to tended to be more non-denominational Christians (funny since I went to a Catholic school!). It was then that I learned what it meant to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Since then, I actually have found a very active group of folks within the church that I go to (which does happen to be Catholic) that GET IT! Imagine that, Christians within a Catholic church :) Anyway, my point is, good for you for following where you feel the Lord is leading you. It is very hard when family doesn't get it and focus more on the religion than the relationship. God bless you in your struggles.
Be blessed,
Courtney
A Christian who happens to be Catholic, not a Catholic who happens to be Christian.
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