Friday, June 24, 2011

Faithful Friday - My Testimony

Somewhere along the line, we've  gradually drifted away from Joy's Faithful Fridays.  I've really missed it too.  Joy actually jumped in last week in getting started again, doing much better than me.  She scheduled hers to post and it did.  However, I procrastinated intending on doing it Thursday night to post Friday morning, and wouldn't you know it?  We were hit with a storm that left us without electricity (thus no internet) until Saturday.  Therefore, no post last week. So Friday's here again, and half the day is gone, but I'm going to go ahead and share this week anyway!  I thought what better place to begin than at the beginning.....sharing the beginning of my Christian walk.....my personal testimony. 



My testimony is really very simple.  As a matter of fact, when asked to share it before, I've even struggled with the thought that it was really...well, almost....boring.  I mean there are people with interesting testimonies.....like being delivered from a life of drugs or alcohol and coming to Christ, or living a really immoral life or "rough" life before finding the Lord, and so on.  I love to see and hear what God has done for people like that!  To me, those are interesting testimonies!  Mine sure didn't measure up to those on the interesting scale!

Some time ago, however, I really felt the quiet way God spoke to my heart saying, "You're not giving Me enough credit here."  What He showed me was that while I didn't think it was that interesting or that great of a testimony, in the sense of bringing me out of something terrible or huge, with a list of things I've done or low places I've been, God has spared me those things and kept me.  Because of Him, and coming to know Him at an early age, God has guided my steps.  

Wow!  I hadn't thought of it that way until that moment.  And I know God showed me that.   He also made me realize that my testimony is special, because it's mine; it's what He did for me.  While some people may benefit from the kind of "interesting" testimonies that I spoke of, there are others who will benefit from a testimony such as mine.  Who am I to decide that?  All God requires from me is to share what He's done for me, and he'll take care of the rest.  I was not giving God the credit due Him!

I became a Christian at the age of ten.  And also let me plug in right here to say that I had a great childhood and wonderful parents, so no rough life before this at all.  About this time in my life though, I had been listening intently in Sunday School and in church services, especially for a few weeks, feeling convicted with God impressing His Word upon my heart, and knowing I needed the Lord; that I wanted Him in my life.  I remember thinking on it alot during those two weeks and wanting to make sure that I knew, without a doubt, that I would have a home in heaven.  I was especially convicted after watching a movie, "A Thief in the Night".  It was a movie about Jesus coming back and some folks were ready for Him and some weren't.   I remember playing the piano and reflecting on that movie and I knew that I wasn't a Christian.  I can still remember the song I was playing when I decided that I wasn't wasting anymore time.  I knew I felt that tugging from the Lord, and I was going to do something about it!  So just a few days later, that following Sunday (I didn't realize then that I could just have prayed right then and there), I could hardly wait for the invitational song to begin, Just As I Am.  I think I almost ran down that aisle to the front.  I especially remember besides just asking the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart, I prayed, "Lord I want you to plan my life."  And he has.  God has guided my path from the young age of ten (childhood years), through the teenage years (those years notoriously noted for being rebellious), into married life (putting Jason and me together), and into and throughout family life (blessing us with our children in three very different ways).  He has spared me alot and kept me.  And I want it to be known, that I am who I am, not because of anything I've done, but because I asked Christ into my life and He has guided my paths. 

One of my very favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5-6.  "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."  

To God be the glory!



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If you would like to share your faith, whether it be an answered prayer, your testimony, something God has done for you or showed you, a prayer request, or just anything concerning your Christian walk, we'd love for you to jump in!  We are going to try to do this every Friday.  We can be an encouragement to each other.  Joy's post from last week's Faithful Friday is still up, which is her testimony, by the way.  Click here and let her know in a comment (we haven't figured out the linky thing yet), so we can come over and read yours as well!  And don't forget to grab the Faithful Fridays with Joy button.

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Another thing.....I've tried several times to leave comments for my blogging friends and some of your blogs just won't let me......Carmen, Tanya....and more....those names come to mind!  If your blog is not set up for anonymous and it has the comments set up on the same page as the post, it won't let me leave a comment through google at all.  I wanted you to know that I'm reading your posts, but can't comment!  So sorry!  I'm not sure what's going on with blogger! 

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Thank you for stopping by!  I am always excited and encouraged by your comments.  God bless you!  :)   

11 comments:

Sew Many Raggedies said...

Hi Tammy, your testimony is beautiful! Mine is a little more colorful LOL, but he meets us where we are! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Have a great weekend.
Blessings,
~Rene~

Blessed Beyond said...

Oh Tammy, what a beautiful and most awesome testimony! That is truly something so special and awesome! Being spared so much is a wonderful blessing! You are a very big inspiration my dear!! Thank you for sharing! Hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!
Hugs and <3

Joy ~ Doodlebug ~ said...

To my godly, beautiful mama!

I love you!

I love your testimony! God has spared me and kept me, too!

Thank you (and Dad) for being godly, caring, and most importantly, CHRISTIAN parents--caring parents that set a good example for us kids. Thank you for always being there for me and for leading me to the Lord and encouraging me in Him!

God bless you!

I love you!

8!

Love,
Joy :D

jennifer768 said...

Tammy thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony !You are a blessing and inspiration to your family and those who know you.Have a wonderful weekend ,Jen

Patty Sumner said...

Thanks Tammy for sharing your story of how you meet the Savior. I am so happy that you came to know him and are living for him daily. Blessings and keep on sharing your story.....

Mandy said...

Tammy, we are such kindred spirits!
That is almost exactly my testimony, minus the piano playing.

I even had to give my testimnoy in church once and I thought it was boring becasue I was saved so young.

I now thank God I was saved at 12 years old!

Thanks for sharing!

Simple Home said...

I think your testimony is just wonderful Tammy! It is the one we want for all of our children :)
Blessings,
Marcia

Tanya said...

Hi Tammy,
Loved loved loved your post about your testimony. It's special because it's yours and it is your walk with God. It was heartfelt and grateful for all you have. Thank you for sharing !
OK girlfriend...I'm so "computer" illiterate! But here I go to try to fix the comment problem. I might have to wait on Darb to help me. Thanks for letting me know! Deep breath...I think I can...I think I can!
Hugs and smiles!
Tanya

Elle Bee said...

I love this Tammy. I too have a similar testimony in that I didn't have a rough life and was raised in a Christian home. So I didn't really have that turn-around moment. But like you, God has protected me over the years in such a beautiful way. Thank you for sharing this.

Linda - Behind My Red Door said...

Leave it up to Him to show a 10 year old the right path! AMAZING!! How astute you were to stop and pay attention!! I am so glad you shared!!

Have a great week! HUGS!!

Jackie said...

Tammy, I loved reading your testimony. I hope my boy's testimony will be just like yours!! For me, meeting God came out of a place of pain but I'm so thankful now for what I endured so that I have a relationship with God. I loved reading Joy's comment too. Have a great evening.
Jackie