In 1987 I was an empty, sad, nineteen year old girl. Through much of my childhood I had grown up in a Christian home, and was surrounded by the godly influence of family who loved and served the Lord. But by the time I had entered ninth grade my parents divorced, (update: praise the Lord, 15 years later they remarried each other!), and I really struggled with all the sadness and the dramatic changes in our family of four. My Mom and Dad, my brother Mike and I had been a close, happy family…I thought. My parents’ divorce was devastating. To add to the grief already engulfing me, my Mom, and brother and I moved three states away. In my teen years, I made some bad choices which, of course, led to painful consequences leaving me a very broken, fragile young girl. I eventually grew numb in an effort to keep the pain of my past sins from tormenting me. I began to hate myself. I didn’t try to make good choices because I didn’t care what happened to me.
Well, praise the Lord, He was not going to leave me like this.
Even though I hated myself. God loved me!
Even though I didn’t take good care of myself. God was watching over me! Even though I felt worthless. God came to the gutter looking for me, so He could save me!
One morning, I woke up at a friend’s house. I thought I had been doing a pretty good job going about my life, hanging out with my new friends, forgetting about my troubles, but I finally began to grow tired of my empty, wasteful living. I believe the Lord was “bringing me to”, preparing me for what He was about to do.
What happened to me that morning is forever etched in my memory and is the most remarkable moment of my life! A I lay there, I opened my eyes and it was as if there was Someone was standing over me, reaching out their hand to me, softly, but firmly saying “Come on. Come with me.” He lifted me up, led me out of there and I drove home. I know it might sound strange, but it was as real as real can be. I know it was Jesus Who found me there, picked me up, brought me out of the sin and despair, and led me to safety and gave me a new life. I know.
I made all new decisions from that day forward. I told the Lord I knew it was Him Who found me there and brought me out. I gave Him my whole self, everything! I talked to Him about everything, spilled it all. I confessed and asked for and received His forgiveness. I poured over my Bible throughout every day. The Lord gave me a new job (at my new church), new friends, fresh, renewed relationships with my family and as mentioned, a new church, where I met my knight-in-shining-armour, where we were married and where we still worship and serve today as a family. That new life for me began August 1987.
Jesus Christ saved me, washed my heart white as snow, set me free and made something beautiful of my life! When I look at all He has done I stand in awe of His love and tender care for me and His mighty power! He literally brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock and established my goings. He put a new song in my mouth. many shall see it and fear and trust in the Lord!
I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something that no other friend could do.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There’s no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.
All my life was full of sin when Jesus found me;
All my heart was full of misery and woe,
Jesus placed His strong and loving arms around me
And He led me in the way I ought to go.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There’s no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.
Every day He comes to me with new assurance;
More and more I understand His words of love.
But I’ll never know just why He came to save me,
Till someday I see His blessed face above.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There’s no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.
~No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus by Charles Weigle
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the Lord;
and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And He hath put a new song in my mouth,
even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the Lord.
Walking with Jesus…and growing in grace,
*If you want to trust Jesus too and you’d like to share that with me or if you have any questions or a prayer request, you are most welcome to contact me at cpsalm40@hotmail.com or leave me a message on the Bones in My Heart facebook page.
I consider it an honor to hear from you.
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good:
blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.
Bones in My Heart 