John Flavel has said, “The Providence of God is like Hebrew words—it can be read only backwards.”
Last Sunday, Mindy looked back on her life & traced all the steps of saving grace for all of us to hear. It was so rich & such a joy to celebrate with her!
If you missed it, you can read it below.
God saved me when I was twenty years old. My life before that was worldly, although I would have told you I was a morally good person. That I needed to be rescued from my sin wasn’t even on my radar. I didn’t grow up in a Christian home, though my parents loved my siblings and me, took good care of us, and even took us to church. Still, there was a lack of purpose in my life. There was no true and lasting peace, joy or hope. I struggled with seeking the approval of others and wondered if I was ever good enough. It was exhausting, unfulfilling, & at times crushing.
I was at my lowest point when, after seeing many people I loved and looked up to struggle with failed marriages, addictions and other hardships, as well as having broken off an engagement with Michael, I found myself weeping on my dorm room bed. I felt lost, alone and ashamed. I was broken and without hope. My roommate walked in on that pitiful scene and sat down next to me. She was concerned for my soul and was led to share the Gospel with me. I surrendered my life to Christ, that day! God gave me a new heart and fresh eyes to see the beauty of His love and grace, all around me. I was given a peace and joy I had never felt before. Looking back on my life, leading up to that point, I can see God was working in all the little details and had purposed that I would one day be His daughter.
After that, by the grace of God, Michael and I were reunited and married. We attended a local church for a couple of years, but as our family grew, God placed on our hearts the need for a gospel-centered church. That led us to a church in Knoxville. We were so thankful to have found a church that could help us grow in the Lord. Unfortunately, due to distance, we found it exceedingly difficult to live in community with other believers at that church. We needed encouragement and accountability. Being a stay-at-home, homeschool mom, I was desperate for authentic community and felt so alone. This is a dangerous place to be! It led to isolation, anxiety, depression, and fear of man instead of fear of God.
But God, in His loving kindness, brought several sisters in Christ into my life during that time. I was reminded of Hebrews 10:24-25 which says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” We were made for community! God never intended for us to walk this life alone.
After much prayer, and an invitation to visit Trinity Grace, we attended a service last January. What a gift! God, in His perfect timing, led us right to this amazing community of believers. A community that has loved us, encouraged us, prayed with and for us, held us accountable and been such a wonderful example for our children. We are growing in the Lord and so thankful for all of you. God’s grace abounds!
Yes, indeed, where sin abounds, God’s grace abounds all the more!