My personal testimony and story on how I found my path back to Jesus. You just have to listen and turn in....
The pastor of my church asked me if I would do a short video with her for her sermon on Sunday, "Our Daily Bread." Let me take you back a few months before I got the Messenger notification.
I was dealing with a concern, and I needed to seek prayer. The first person I knew would pray with me was Kelly, the pastor of my church. Kelly called me back, and I told her what happened in my situation. You know how the story goes when you talk about real-life issues.
As our conversation continued, I told her about my journey back to Jesus. I explained to her that I didn't know where to go, as my life was very troubling. I was running from my problems. I got into my truck and started driving down the road, and I heard a voice in my head that told me to turn into the church's parking lot.
Listening to the saving voice in my head, I turned into the church parking lot and parked my truck.
The hard part was walking in. I sat in my truck debating, with the negative voice telling me I didn't belong. Negative thoughts took over my mind. I felt like everyone would laugh at me. I thought they would say I didn’t belong. I worried I wasn’t dressed right for church, so I didn’t want to go inside. I was in a pair of worn-out leggings and a PJ top.
After much debate, I told myself to go to the church. I opened the truck door and started walking into the church. I was unfamiliar with the church, so I didn't know where to sit, so I sat in the back row of pews.
I was so nervous about what I would hear. I was fearful that I would find out about myself and what I was lacking, or maybe I was protecting the negative. Feeling sorry for myself at the beginning of the pastor's sermon, I really started to listen to his message. It was like it was a direct message from God.
As the hour of the congregation continued, I started to feel different. I started feeling calmer, relaxed, and in the Lord's caring hands. I really loved that feeling. I knew that day was the day I would commit myself back to serving the Lord.
I made a promise to myself and to the Lord that I would not go down the path of life without Him.
This was a pivot point in my life that took gradual time and practice over the years. But as the years progressed, I felt more blessed, confident, and less stressed. I no longer had to battle the world on my own. You know the phrase, "Give it to God!" Yep, that is exactly what I started to do.
I filmed my short video for the church on a rainy Tuesday. My homeschooled son was with me that day, and we were both excited and nervous about the filming process.
Did you know that even though I walk with the Lord, that negative voice still pops up now and then? I was being told by the negative voice, "Don't go; it's raining, and you have a $300.00 area rug that will be delivered by Amazon during your interview scheduling." But after an hour or two of debate.
I got into my truck and went to the church to film a short video for the church. All week, I was excited to learn how the video would turn out.
Sunday had arrived and I was behind my computer to attend church online. The excitement and the butterflies were in my stomach. I watched, and at the end of the sermon, Kelly gave her introduction to my story.
The video started to play, and there I was, my face on the big screen. I thought how humbled I was to be able to share my story years ago and journey back to Jesus. My prayer is that others who are struggling and feeling lost can learn from my story and life journey. You are not alone, and you don't have to do life alone.
Jesus is there for you. All you have to do is listen to the voice and decide to follow His voice.
What's more on my journey
In September 2024, I was at a mom's meeting with the church. MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers and school-aged kids) had a questionnaire that was a get-to-know-you. One of the questions on the paper was, "What is on your bucket list?" I thought about this very hard, as I had already done almost everything that I wanted to do.
I pondered the question for a while, and then the saving voice again told me to read the Bible in its entirety. So, I wrote it down as my answer.
I joined a Bible 365 group with my church, and I was on my way to learning the words, ways and commands of our Lord God. I wanted to learn more, so I set a time in the mornings from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. to read the Bible. It took me four months to complete the Bible.
During this time, I had personal time with the Lord. I had my coffee in hand and a cozy robe on. It gave me time to relax and be with my Lord and Savior, which is exactly what I needed in my life.
When I finished the Bible and closed the book.
The question now was, "What are you going to do with knowing the word of God?" The answer was as simple as my church's motto. Know, Follow, and "Share" Jesus.
I am where I am today with my boutique, Bennett Avenue Boutique. I want to help and fellowship with people so they can get to know God and Jesus.
How about some good news on how you can start your journey with Jesus?
A great place to start with your walk with Jesus is a simple devotional. Maybe a sticker or coffee mug of encouragement that will get you going in the morning and throughout your day. Reminders that God and Jesus are with you always in all walks of life in the good times, bad times, and the darn right troubling times.
My goal is to offer you thoughts of comfort, home, joy-filled gift goods, uplifting tee shirts, fashion and more that will help you in your journey with Jesus and finding peace in your life. I am a firm believer that you have to have the right message in life in order to succeed. These messages comes directly from Jesus Himself.
Our journeys and stories are different, but I think we might all agree on one thing:
We are all on the quest to become closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
My hope and takeaway:
My hope and prayer for you is to start today. Start somewhere. Just start.
All it takes is saying yes, taking the first steps, the first devotional, picking up the Bible and receiving the Lords word into your life.
I wish you all the best in your journey back to or continued journey with Jesus. He is the "Daily Bread" of our lives, and we are incomplete without Him.
Let's close out with the Lord's prayer.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
I am pleased to share with you the full sermon of pastor Kelly on February 16, 2025, titled "Give us This Day." You may watch my story which starting at 55:30-minute mark.
Friend, peace be with you always.
Give us This Day: Our Daily Bread
Foundry Church service on 2/16/2025 - Give us Today our Daily Bread.
My Short Video Filming credit: Darwin M.
