I couldn’t have dreamt of anything better for my daughter.
Despite being taught in the ways of the Lord from a young age by my mother, I did not remain a follower of Christ for very long. At the age of 18, I got married and lived a very worldly life. There was always the idea at the back of my mind that I would have to put my life right with Jesus at some point, but it was never pressing or urgent.
It was only through a crisis – we lost our home and possessions through a failed business venture – God finally got my attention and me on my knees, crying out to Him for help. We joined a church, where I rededicated my life to Jesus. Six months later, we moved house and joined another church where I served in the children’s ministry for a number of years.
During this period, I witnessed many things in our church and other churches that disturbed me greatly. Something in my heart led me to pray for the Lord to bring order to His Church. At the same time, my own life, and marriage, was a mess of disorder and strife. Despite going through counselling and deliverance sessions as a family, I can’t say that we ever experienced victory. I questioned God: “I have done all I could, I have followed the instructions and teachings of the church; why am I not free, Lord?”
In the end, tired of all the compromise I saw everywhere, I resigned my church membership. The Lord assured me that I should trust Him alone, that He had a plan for my life. I was crying out to him for a real Christian family, for true Shepherds to watch over us and nurture us. It was at that time that I began watching Miki Hardy preach on the program ‘Heart-Talk’ on TBN. The messages spoke directly to me, exposing my heart and made me realise that the Lord had a lot of work to do in me. For two years, I survived in my spiritual walk by watching these weekly programs. Then, one Sunday, I saw an invitation extended to everyone to attend a Family Camp, just down the road from where we lived… I couldn’t believe my ears! We registered immediately.
Only a week before the camp, my daughter returned from a year in the USA, uncertain about her future. She was considering studies; but we did not really have the finance for that, nor were we at peace with the idea. She declined our invitation to join us at the camp, preferring to party with friends. This saddened me; but I released it to the Lord. We went off and the Lord really worked profoundly in our lives that weekend. In the meantime, my daughter had come home early, bored with her friends; she joined us for the last day of the camp.
I watched, amazed, as the Lord spoke directly into her life. She knew immediately that He had brought her home from America, and that He wanted to do something special in her life. I saw my prayers of 10 years answered before my eyes… my child transformed from a worldly youngster, to surrendering her life to Jesus!
Since that weekend, the Lord has continued to work in us and through us. He has exposed things in me that displeased Him, issues I preferred to avoid in years gone by, and He is continuing His work in my life. We can see daily the changes he has brought about in our family. Finally, I have begun to experience victory in different areas of my life. The relationship with my daughter has changed completely. Before, we were always trying to control and change each other. Today, love and acceptance is at the core of our relationship as sisters in the Lord.
We joined Grace Gospel Church immediately after the camp, and my daughter went to the CTMI Youth Camp in Mauritius. She even applied and was accepted to study at a local university. I can say today that she is well, happy; and most importantly, is growing and maturing in the ways of our Lord. I couldn’t have dreamt of anything better for my daughter. She has found her place in His body, and it is beautiful to see her serving Jesus in peace, joy, and freedom.
I am delighted and grateful to the Lord to be in a church where I can follow the living examples of leaders who are following Christ. Here I am being fed and am growing on spiritual food that brings life. What is preached brings conviction, repentance, change, and victory in my walk with Jesus. We have been taken care of by the extended CTMI family from all over the world. Brothers and sisters have visited us and shared, encouraging us in very specific areas where we have struggled previously.
God has restored me and released me from so many past hurts. He has literally rescued us out of a deep pit of despair, where we could not see the way forward, and He has given us brand new hope. The Lord has indeed done great things for me and for my family! I am so grateful He didn’t leave me where I was or as I was. To Him be all the glory for the great things He has done!
Shannon T. – KZN, South Africa
Posted: March 30th, 2010 under Parents.