My Redemption Story: Part 1

When is your moment when you realized this life is broken?

For me, I was sitting in a cold hospital hallway with my young mother beside me. We were praying, "Dear God, I don't want my daddy to die. But if he has to, please let him live until my 7th birthday."

I can tell you I'm sure it wasn't just mama and me crying then. I'm sure Jesus wept with us.

Let the children come to me. I am full of compassion.

Nights later, after blowing out 7 candles in a rather sullen make-shift celebration in the hospital cafeteria, we went upstairs to gather around as my daddy, my best friend, my champion died*.

In the years that would follow, my once happy & secure family continued to break under depression and dark forces, physical and emotional abuse, poverty of spirit and poverty of pocketbook.

The thief came to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have full life.

Back then I thought that was the end of story. I sometimes wanted to die. There was so little hope. 

At 15 I fell in love. Not with a boy (okay yeah with a boy too, but that's not the important part here), but with Love. I began a deep and true relationship (not a religion) with God. Through friends, His word, & Him I fell hard.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t despair. Your God is present among you, a strong Warrior there to save you.
Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love and delight you with his songs.



The hope, the comfort, the leading and the Love that I found in God was and is literally life-restoring.


Comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion--bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. 

Love is redeeming. Every day. In my life and yours. 
May this blog community be a sweet fragrance of such hope.  

*And lived. After suffering a massive stroke caused by a heart tumor, Paul Schipp went onto glory.

He rescues and saves, he provided redemption for his people. Amen.
  

1 comment:

  1. Wow, what am amazing story of redemption. I am so very sorry you lost your daddy at such a young age. But so very thankful you fell hard and fast for God and never turned back. He truly is enough!

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