Charlotte's God Story

The year was 1979; I was 26 years old, married for 10 years, and had two children, ages 9 and 2.

I was trying desperately to make life, and my marriage work. I remember feeling so much fear and anxiety; my life was filled with chaos and uncertainty over my future and marriage.

That summer of 1979, my family and my sister-in-law's family headed to our city's river to spend the afternoon with our picnic lunch on the beach playing in the water and enjoying the sun. As we enjoyed ourselves on this hot summer day, a group of young men and women walked along the beach, playing their guitars and singing. My husband and sister-in-law knew them from high school and started a conversation with them. I kept my distance and just listened as they shared their new life in Jesus and the good news of his saving power. I thought, oh great, a bunch of holy rollers disrupting our day. I thought to myself, what do these young people do for fun anyway. I didn't want to hear this and rudely walked away from hearing distance. I was going to figure life out; I was going to fix things and somehow change things. Unfortunately, things didn't get better; they were worse, and I was becoming hopeless. The verbal abuse, infidelities, rejection, and fear overwhelmed me.

What I didn't realize is that day on a sunny beach, a seed was planted in my heart. I thought I had dismissed the message, but it had taken root. My in-laws accepted the invitation to church and attended that Sunday. They decided to commit their lives to Jesus. On a Sunday afternoon, they knocked on our door and shared their newfound faith. They invited us to attend church with them the following Sunday.

The Holy Spirit was already speaking to me. I already knew I was at a crossroads in my life. I thought about it for the next three days; I knew I had to surrender all to God. I was terrified; how would my life change? What a question, my life was so much in turmoil.

Sunday came around, and we attended church. When I heard the message and when the invitation to accept Jesus was given, I didn't hesitate. The fountains of my brokenness gushed out with what I thought were bottomless tears. I can only explain it as a light coming on in my soul. I understood God loved me all along, and he was waiting for me to come to him with my sin, problems, and sorrows. I decided that day I was going all in with God, and my life took a 360 turn. I was given a Bible and couldn't get enough of God's word. I volunteered and helped in the nursery and went from house to house, apartment to apartment, knocking on doors and sharing the message of Jesus. I now had the peace I so desperately needed in my soul; I placed all my problems, fears, and trials in God's hands. During that first year, I knew I needed to surrender a time dedicated to Bible reading and prayer. A friend explained it this way. "First comes the desire, then comes the discipline, but then comes the delight in that set-aside time."

That was 43 years ago, and spending time reading my Bible, studying, and praying in those early morning hours has been my delight.

This time I spend in the morning has strengthened and empowered me to go through life's trials. The passing of my youngest son, the divorce of a marriage of 43 years, the passing of my ex-husband, and the recent passing of my 99-year-old mother. Jesus said, in John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you might have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart I have overcome the world. Deuteronomy 31:6 The Lord himself will go before you and will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged.

Today I am retired and enjoying my life. I'm still sharing Jesus, teaching Bible studies, and ministering to women in jail. At the end of my life, I am determined to say, as Paul did in Timothy 4:7, I have fought the good fight, I have finished my race, I have kept the faith.

Blessing and strength,

Charlotte