My Story - A deeper look
Hello! I’m Jennifer. Born Again Believer, Wife, Homeschooling Mom, Doula, Friend. I’d love to share my story with you.
I grew up in Maine, both of my parents worked FT jobs, so I went to my grandma’s house every morning, got the bus to school and after school I was back to my grandma’s house. On the weekends, I would spend Saturday night at my Grandma’s, so she could take me to church. If Saturday night didn’t work out then she would come get me on Sunday mornings. Her faithfulness was astounding and it still blesses my heart and soul to this day.
The Lord has had his hand on my life since the very beginning. He made himself evident through my faithful grandmother. He protected me from addictions, teenage pregnancy, abusive relationships, and a broken family. He provided multiple opportunities for me to learn and see life differently through other families around us and He provided plenty of opportunities for me to hear the gospel.
After a traumatic experience when I was 11, my parents decided things needed to change. They were saved and we started attending church as a family. One night, while we were at a children's event, the puppet show came on and they explained how I am full of sin and darkness and there's nothing good that I can do to break out of that, but that someone - Jesus - was full of light and goodness. He never sinned and did not deserve to die, but he willingly sacrificed everything for me, so that I could live in the light with him. The gospel was so clear that night as I realized I needed a Savior. I wanted to be saved. God gave me a new life in Him (born again: John 3, new creation: 1 Corinthians 5:17)
I would still pray a lot through my teenage years asking God to save me again and again every time I “messed up”, but when I was about seventeen, I read John 10:28 which says: "and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." I knew then that my salvation was secure in Christ and that nothing could take me from my savior or cause me to lose my salvation.
After I graduated High School, I went to a Bible College, and there I was given great biblical teaching and the ability to study the word for myself. In this time of reading, I found 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” I have clung to this verse as a reminder of HOPE when I still have times that I struggle in my sin.
I am easily discouraged and fearful in life, but I am reminded that we "will have trials in this life, but we can take courage, because Jesus Christ has already overcome" (John 16:33) and I know that I no longer need to live in fear.
I am so thankful for the faithfulness of my Grandma and that the Lord put her in my life. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness, too. He is constantly pursuing me and drawing me nearer to Himself.
In closing, I want to remind you of God’s love and encourage you to walk with the Lord. Joel 2:13 - “Now return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness And relenting of evil.” Notice that last part… slow to anger. Read it again. Today is the day of salvation. Come to Him.
I'm still learning and growing and changing (sanctification: 1 Thess. 5:23-24, John 17, Galatians 2:20) with each passing day, but I know no matter what may come, my Savior lives and he will hold me fast. All glory be to Christ.
I believe:
The Bible is God’s holy and inerrant word that is relevant both in the time it was written and today. It holds ALL that we need to know for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
In the total depravity of man = ALL people are born sinners and want nothing to do with God (Romans 3:10-12).
Salvation is not earned by some good thing that you can do, but it is a free gift from God that we receive by Grace through Faith in Jesus Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Jesus is God’s Son, The Messiah, Lord of Lords and King of Kings, an equal part of the Holy Trinity. He came to earth, lived as fully man and fully God, completely sinless (Phil.2:5-11). He willingly chose to go to the cross and face the wrath of God so that I would not have to (2 Corinthians 5:21). He rose from the grave three days later just as He said He would (Matthew 28:6). He will return to earth again and every knee will bow to Him (Revelation 22:12-13, Philippians 2:10-11).
