Heather's Testimony
I first met Heather when she logged into room 2 as Morgan. Some may recall that at the time, Morgan was suffering severely from a lung condition and in fact our next conversation on icq led to people asking for prayer for Morgan throughout the WWCOL chat rooms as she collapsed at her computer.
Heather is now a lot better physically and has been on a long journey over the past years. Sunday was the 1st anniversary of her worshipping at a new church and was marked by her giving her testimony.
Heather's Testimony
Today brings in my life something special. A year ago I took a leap and made a major change in my life.
I was at a point in my life where church was not a focus in my life. I went out of obligation and nothing more. I knew that was far from what God wanted in my life but I was lost and empty. I would come away from my last church feeling as if there was a huge part missing. I taught Sunday school, worked in the nursery, was there every Sunday but still something was missing and I made the tough decision to give all that up. How can I teach young minds if my mind was so jumbled and didn’t even know where I stood with God.
During this time I had asked Lana to put me on the prayer list at her church. I was in a major battle for my life it seemed and I knew I needed some major prayer to get through this and at that time in my life prayer was not a focus of my life. Ya we prayed at my church but it didn’t seem anything more than words.
Shortly after this, and the week following giving up Sunday School I was talking with Lana at work about some things that were going on she suggested that I should come to church with her one week and she would have everyone pray over me. I had no idea REALLY what she was talking about. "Pray over Me". I figured that it just meant that she would have people pray FOR me. That’s what is normally done right? Isn’t that what we are supposed to do? I thought about it and asked if she was going the next Sunday and here I am.
I walked into the church in total fear. I didn’t know anyone but Lana and that was scary. I’ve always felt out of place wherever I’ve gone whether work, school, church, even in my own family and this was no different. I really didn’t know what to expect. But that first day is so vivid in my mind and always will be. Before I even has my coat off I was welcomed. Rev. Bryson stopped right in the middle of teaching to make sure he shook my hand. That blew me away. It was a gesture that was second nature to him but to me made me feel right away that I was welcomed and didn’t need to feel out of place. Mind you I still did but the anxiety was diminished .
This brings me to the "being prayed over". Still not knowing what, where, how I still didn’t know what to think. At the end of the service Pastor Traylor got up and was talking to the congregation. I remember her words so clear. She started with "there is someone out there today who is dealing with " and she mentioned EVERYTHING I was dealing with at the time. She wanted that person to come up to the front for prayer but I stood back. Someone else had gone up after that I and though WHEW she wasn’t talking about me. But something inside me was turning inside. I really didn’t know what but it was such a strange feeling. Shortly after this Rev Weatherly, who was standing beside the pastor, points out to the congregation and says she is talking to you. I had no idea who he was talking to and sure didn’t think he was talking to me. He didn’t even know me. Why would he be pointing at me? I looked at him and he said it again but this time with more force and pointed right at me. And next thing I remember Sister Shirley, whom I didn’t know at all, took me by the arm and brought me up to the front. Then if that wasn’t scary enough I was then surrounded by several more people whom I didn’t know. Some had introduced themselves to me after Sunday School but that didn’t ease my mind at all! This was all so very overwhelming to me. Rev Weatherly proceeded to talk to me, saying pretty much everything I had been dealing with. Some of which not even Lana knew so how could he. Then laid hands on me and started praying. I mean not just words I’m talking about really praying. Next thing I knew I was on the flooring crying uncontrollably. What was going on..I sure didn’t know but I did know that I felt like something inside me was spilling out through my pores.
I can't and will never forget that moment because something changed in me and what was supposed to be a one time visit turned into a permanent residence.
At my previous church I never sat through a 1 hour service without getting up at least once. Just couldn’t sit still. Why is it that I can sit through a 2 hour service with no problems at all? I can still remember exactly what pastor preached on that first week. Coming out of your comfort zone. I could never remember what the pastor preached on 1 hour after service let alone a year after. Something was changing in me and I realized really quickly that no matter the insecurities I felt with going to a new church, meeting new people and learning new ways of doing things that this is where God wanted me and what he had been working on through me for so long.
I brought A LOT of baggage with me, and needed A LOT of support to deal with it. Sometimes I really didn’t know what hit me sometimes but no matter what I felt that someone would be there for me. Listen to me, direct me where I needed to go and if anything else just surround me in their arms. No one could know that that was something I craved more than anything. I had never told anyone other than my counsellor. But actually someone else knew and that was God. When I really needed it the most, during the toughest times, someone was always there.
God also knew that I needed someone in my life that I can look up to, relate to, talk to, trust (never an easy issue with me) and just chill with. And within a week of being at the church God showed me that Tracey was exactly who He had out there for me. Every time we talked some other similarities in our lives were made known. It became a joke with us. From the same bible covers, to birthdays a day apart, Hey we even came to church our birthday Sunday almost dressed identical. Its hard for me to connect and trust people easily but Tracey with you that was so easy. Prime example of that was recently when I was very ill and at that point just wanted to curl up and give up I reached out and called Tracey at 10 at night (feeling guilty cuz of the late hour) and instead of trying to rush me off she listened to me, talked with me and didn’t make me feel like I was a burden to her or that I was being silly. At the end I felt calm and knew I would be just fine. I know that whenever I need some encouragement she makes the time and that means so much to me. Everyone here is like that. I’ve never seen a group of people who stick together and encourage like Price. Through whatever struggles the church is and hasgone through no matter what everyone binds together and works together.
I have been told by several people how much I have grown in the last year, and how I am different. I never really saw it in myself but it was nice to hear. But slowly God is showing me JUST how I HAVE changed.. Become a stronger person. Not only in myself but most importantly in Him. He has shown me that I can be of importance even in small ways. He has made me feel that I can participate because I WANT to and not out of obligation. I see more and more just what God has for me. I have a LONG way to go but I’m getting there. More and more through times when I need to instead of falling into satans hands I’m falling into God’s..
A prime example of that is when I lost my job I really felt as ease with it all…I knew that God had something out there for me.. This was a way to start over. Mind you it wasn’t easy at all but God has made it easier to bear. Everytime I worried about finances God provided, just when I was falling into depression over sitting at home feeling hopeless and useless he opened the doors for me and even tho temporary has put me JUST where He wants me. Not only has He given me a job that I love, a job where I do well in, a job where I can be a contributing factor but He put me in a position where I am working with a Christian. Like I have said previously I don’t trust easy but knowing that Yenny was a Christian made that easy and in the few months we have known each other God had shown us that we can be there for each other. When things go awry we have each other. She knows just when I need a kind word or a hug or when I need to chill and will let me know, and I can be there for her in the same way. Back to God knowing just who I need in my life he always brought me into a job where I can relate to someone else and be encouraged by. We even grew up in the same area.
I could never thanks God enough for what He does for me in my life. He is my strength, He is my comfort, He is my teacher, Most of all he is my protector. This last year through it all I have the strength that I never had before and I know that only comes from God and all He has done. Without Him I wouldn’t have made it.
With that with all of you I wouldn’t have made it either. I know that I need to rely on God before people but it is all of you who have shown me JUST who God really and truly is. Shown me what such a powerful tool prayer is, what praise REALLY is and directing me where I need to go, what I need to do and given me the tools to get there. Seeing smiling faces every Sunday, fun and laughter, sadness and tears. No matter what everyone is still there through it. You all have shown me what being a Christian really means and have enabled me to see that in myself. Maybe you think you go unnoticed or that you don’t do anything special but you ALL do. You reach out to others around you and that means more than anything big you can do.
It is such a joy to walk into church each Sunday and see Pastor Traylor’s big smile shining up from. When she asks how you are she is really asking how you are and not just speaking words and takes the time to listen to your answer. She gives so much of herself, even when she is tired. She still makes you feel like you matter. When she preaches God’s words just spill out of her and she doesn’t hold back. That is one of the things that has drawn me to really begin to focus. She speaks to you and just lets God take over.
Before this turns into a novel, I wanted to thank you all for making this one of the best, most fulfilling years in my life. You all have shown me over and over again just what it means to be a part of a family, maybe not by blood but in every other way.
To quote a song that we have heard here a few times "I pray for you. You pray for me" we are all a part out says it all. of God’s family. that just about says it all.
Heather is now a lot better physically and has been on a long journey over the past years. Sunday was the 1st anniversary of her worshipping at a new church and was marked by her giving her testimony.
Heather's Testimony
Today brings in my life something special. A year ago I took a leap and made a major change in my life.
I was at a point in my life where church was not a focus in my life. I went out of obligation and nothing more. I knew that was far from what God wanted in my life but I was lost and empty. I would come away from my last church feeling as if there was a huge part missing. I taught Sunday school, worked in the nursery, was there every Sunday but still something was missing and I made the tough decision to give all that up. How can I teach young minds if my mind was so jumbled and didn’t even know where I stood with God.
During this time I had asked Lana to put me on the prayer list at her church. I was in a major battle for my life it seemed and I knew I needed some major prayer to get through this and at that time in my life prayer was not a focus of my life. Ya we prayed at my church but it didn’t seem anything more than words.
Shortly after this, and the week following giving up Sunday School I was talking with Lana at work about some things that were going on she suggested that I should come to church with her one week and she would have everyone pray over me. I had no idea REALLY what she was talking about. "Pray over Me". I figured that it just meant that she would have people pray FOR me. That’s what is normally done right? Isn’t that what we are supposed to do? I thought about it and asked if she was going the next Sunday and here I am.
I walked into the church in total fear. I didn’t know anyone but Lana and that was scary. I’ve always felt out of place wherever I’ve gone whether work, school, church, even in my own family and this was no different. I really didn’t know what to expect. But that first day is so vivid in my mind and always will be. Before I even has my coat off I was welcomed. Rev. Bryson stopped right in the middle of teaching to make sure he shook my hand. That blew me away. It was a gesture that was second nature to him but to me made me feel right away that I was welcomed and didn’t need to feel out of place. Mind you I still did but the anxiety was diminished .
This brings me to the "being prayed over". Still not knowing what, where, how I still didn’t know what to think. At the end of the service Pastor Traylor got up and was talking to the congregation. I remember her words so clear. She started with "there is someone out there today who is dealing with " and she mentioned EVERYTHING I was dealing with at the time. She wanted that person to come up to the front for prayer but I stood back. Someone else had gone up after that I and though WHEW she wasn’t talking about me. But something inside me was turning inside. I really didn’t know what but it was such a strange feeling. Shortly after this Rev Weatherly, who was standing beside the pastor, points out to the congregation and says she is talking to you. I had no idea who he was talking to and sure didn’t think he was talking to me. He didn’t even know me. Why would he be pointing at me? I looked at him and he said it again but this time with more force and pointed right at me. And next thing I remember Sister Shirley, whom I didn’t know at all, took me by the arm and brought me up to the front. Then if that wasn’t scary enough I was then surrounded by several more people whom I didn’t know. Some had introduced themselves to me after Sunday School but that didn’t ease my mind at all! This was all so very overwhelming to me. Rev Weatherly proceeded to talk to me, saying pretty much everything I had been dealing with. Some of which not even Lana knew so how could he. Then laid hands on me and started praying. I mean not just words I’m talking about really praying. Next thing I knew I was on the flooring crying uncontrollably. What was going on..I sure didn’t know but I did know that I felt like something inside me was spilling out through my pores.
I can't and will never forget that moment because something changed in me and what was supposed to be a one time visit turned into a permanent residence.
At my previous church I never sat through a 1 hour service without getting up at least once. Just couldn’t sit still. Why is it that I can sit through a 2 hour service with no problems at all? I can still remember exactly what pastor preached on that first week. Coming out of your comfort zone. I could never remember what the pastor preached on 1 hour after service let alone a year after. Something was changing in me and I realized really quickly that no matter the insecurities I felt with going to a new church, meeting new people and learning new ways of doing things that this is where God wanted me and what he had been working on through me for so long.
I brought A LOT of baggage with me, and needed A LOT of support to deal with it. Sometimes I really didn’t know what hit me sometimes but no matter what I felt that someone would be there for me. Listen to me, direct me where I needed to go and if anything else just surround me in their arms. No one could know that that was something I craved more than anything. I had never told anyone other than my counsellor. But actually someone else knew and that was God. When I really needed it the most, during the toughest times, someone was always there.
God also knew that I needed someone in my life that I can look up to, relate to, talk to, trust (never an easy issue with me) and just chill with. And within a week of being at the church God showed me that Tracey was exactly who He had out there for me. Every time we talked some other similarities in our lives were made known. It became a joke with us. From the same bible covers, to birthdays a day apart, Hey we even came to church our birthday Sunday almost dressed identical. Its hard for me to connect and trust people easily but Tracey with you that was so easy. Prime example of that was recently when I was very ill and at that point just wanted to curl up and give up I reached out and called Tracey at 10 at night (feeling guilty cuz of the late hour) and instead of trying to rush me off she listened to me, talked with me and didn’t make me feel like I was a burden to her or that I was being silly. At the end I felt calm and knew I would be just fine. I know that whenever I need some encouragement she makes the time and that means so much to me. Everyone here is like that. I’ve never seen a group of people who stick together and encourage like Price. Through whatever struggles the church is and hasgone through no matter what everyone binds together and works together.
I have been told by several people how much I have grown in the last year, and how I am different. I never really saw it in myself but it was nice to hear. But slowly God is showing me JUST how I HAVE changed.. Become a stronger person. Not only in myself but most importantly in Him. He has shown me that I can be of importance even in small ways. He has made me feel that I can participate because I WANT to and not out of obligation. I see more and more just what God has for me. I have a LONG way to go but I’m getting there. More and more through times when I need to instead of falling into satans hands I’m falling into God’s..
A prime example of that is when I lost my job I really felt as ease with it all…I knew that God had something out there for me.. This was a way to start over. Mind you it wasn’t easy at all but God has made it easier to bear. Everytime I worried about finances God provided, just when I was falling into depression over sitting at home feeling hopeless and useless he opened the doors for me and even tho temporary has put me JUST where He wants me. Not only has He given me a job that I love, a job where I do well in, a job where I can be a contributing factor but He put me in a position where I am working with a Christian. Like I have said previously I don’t trust easy but knowing that Yenny was a Christian made that easy and in the few months we have known each other God had shown us that we can be there for each other. When things go awry we have each other. She knows just when I need a kind word or a hug or when I need to chill and will let me know, and I can be there for her in the same way. Back to God knowing just who I need in my life he always brought me into a job where I can relate to someone else and be encouraged by. We even grew up in the same area.
I could never thanks God enough for what He does for me in my life. He is my strength, He is my comfort, He is my teacher, Most of all he is my protector. This last year through it all I have the strength that I never had before and I know that only comes from God and all He has done. Without Him I wouldn’t have made it.
With that with all of you I wouldn’t have made it either. I know that I need to rely on God before people but it is all of you who have shown me JUST who God really and truly is. Shown me what such a powerful tool prayer is, what praise REALLY is and directing me where I need to go, what I need to do and given me the tools to get there. Seeing smiling faces every Sunday, fun and laughter, sadness and tears. No matter what everyone is still there through it. You all have shown me what being a Christian really means and have enabled me to see that in myself. Maybe you think you go unnoticed or that you don’t do anything special but you ALL do. You reach out to others around you and that means more than anything big you can do.
It is such a joy to walk into church each Sunday and see Pastor Traylor’s big smile shining up from. When she asks how you are she is really asking how you are and not just speaking words and takes the time to listen to your answer. She gives so much of herself, even when she is tired. She still makes you feel like you matter. When she preaches God’s words just spill out of her and she doesn’t hold back. That is one of the things that has drawn me to really begin to focus. She speaks to you and just lets God take over.
Before this turns into a novel, I wanted to thank you all for making this one of the best, most fulfilling years in my life. You all have shown me over and over again just what it means to be a part of a family, maybe not by blood but in every other way.
To quote a song that we have heard here a few times "I pray for you. You pray for me" we are all a part out says it all. of God’s family. that just about says it all.
posted by wwcol church blog @ 7:52 AM
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