A TESTIMONY OF GOD’S PRESENCE
It is our responsibility as Christians to share the times in our life that has, without question, been touched and change by God. We all have difficulties in life and that is expected, although, never welcome. How we deal with them can oftentimes color our future. I was blessed to have Christian parents that taught us, by word and deed, the love and grace of our laving God. That being said, it is by this fact that brought me through the life altering times I will share with those reading this and hope that it will be helpful to someone.
After a marriage of 17 years to my first husband and the father of my two sons, I was divorced. The details are not necessary but the few years prior to the divorce were painful, at best. I was the youngest of nine and there had been no divorces in the family and I did not want to be the first. Not unlike many, I prayed daily and almost without ceasing, that the problems would go away for the sake of my children. But what I didn’t realize, at the time, is that staying in the marriage was actually damaging to them. Knowing that divorce was inevitable, I got a job and placed my younger son in day care. Many days he cried and held onto me and I cried on my way to the office. Through this adjustment period, things seemed so uncertain and I was frightened of being a single Mom. Becoming so weary of being depressed, I made the decision to start my day by thanking God each morning for all the wonderful blessings I still had. I still had HIS love, my beautiful boys, a home, a job and the support of a large family. Prayer can make such a difference in how we view each day! That was the beginning of my healing and a new life. After five years I was fortunate to meet and marry a man that has made my life full and happy.
Another significant experience in my life began in the month that I would turn 56 years old. Having just had a mammogram, I had a call at work on the Friday before 4th of July weekend telling me that there was something my mammogram and further tests would be necessary. The long weekend was, indeed long! The diagnosis was one that no one wants to hear and it was agonizing to have to tell my husband and children. During the next several months, as the surgeries took place, I was in prayer each moment my mind was free to do so. Of course, I pleaded to live with every prayer. Knowing that it was ultimately in the hands of God, I realized I must turn it all over to Him. I, then, prayed that if I must leave this world that my death would result in someone else turning their life to Him. Early in the morning of my first surgery, in a state of half sleep, a voice came to me and said (audibly to me) “everything will be alright.” And it was alright and, after seventeen and a half years, I am still alright. I had the greatest support system one could have, God and a wonderful husband and family. I praise God each day for my life. He is in and around us always; we only need to call upon Him. He can give us strength and courage when we are weak, frightened and facing the unknown.
I once read a quote that I’ve never forgotten: “Courage is not the absence of fear, but the presence of faith!”
Roberta Tyler