A little about me...I'm first and foremost, a follower of Jesus. I'm a Protestant Christian woman saved by Grace through the Lord Jesus Christ. I surrendered to Jesus at 14 years of age during a church service I attended with my mom and sisters while we were living in a woman’s shelter in Birmingham, Alabama. At the very moment of me surrendering to Jesus’ calling of me and walking down to the front of the church service, getting down on my knees in front of everyone, confessing with my heart and mouth Jesus is Lord, and surrendering my life to Him – there was a change within me that very day…I knew I wasn’t alone anymore; the Holy Spirit had came to live inside of me; a personal friend, who would never leave me.
Years later, in my mid 20's, after losing sight of Jesus from not focusing on Him for many years and allowing other people and things to distract me from Him, and actually replace Him for lesser "idols" I eventually hit a "rock bottom" in my life, which looked like a nervous breakdown from tremendous anxiety and depression. But, He came after me and led me back to Him! 🙌 He led me to rededicate my life to Him and I was baptized for the first time at 24 years of age. Years down the road, my journey would be difficult and it included me losing sight and focus on Him again, at many times, and I would eventually hit another "rock bottom" due to not only not focusing on Him but also allowing lies to lead me astray. But, throughout all of the confusion and suffering, God is using it all and turning it around for my good and His Glory! Now I am coming to understand more and more how detrimentally important it is to keep my focus on Jesus, my Shepherd. To allow God to renew my mind and heart to His truth and ways by focusing on Him, praying, studying His Word, worshiping Him in spirit and in truth, and being in community of other Jesus followers so we can build each other up in Him and each of us be transformed and unified in Love, in Him, for He is Love. So I may recognise truth from lies and prevent from being so greatly led astray and to be healed of past hurts and allow God to help me to forgive myself and others who have hurt me.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
Years later, in my mid 20's, after losing sight of Jesus from not focusing on Him for many years and allowing other people and things to distract me from Him, and actually replace Him for lesser "idols" I eventually hit a "rock bottom" in my life, which looked like a nervous breakdown from tremendous anxiety and depression. But, He came after me and led me back to Him! 🙌 He led me to rededicate my life to Him and I was baptized for the first time at 24 years of age. Years down the road, my journey would be difficult and it included me losing sight and focus on Him again, at many times, and I would eventually hit another "rock bottom" due to not only not focusing on Him but also allowing lies to lead me astray. But, throughout all of the confusion and suffering, God is using it all and turning it around for my good and His Glory! Now I am coming to understand more and more how detrimentally important it is to keep my focus on Jesus, my Shepherd. To allow God to renew my mind and heart to His truth and ways by focusing on Him, praying, studying His Word, worshiping Him in spirit and in truth, and being in community of other Jesus followers so we can build each other up in Him and each of us be transformed and unified in Love, in Him, for He is Love. So I may recognise truth from lies and prevent from being so greatly led astray and to be healed of past hurts and allow God to help me to forgive myself and others who have hurt me.
I'm just following my Shephard now and that is such a relief. It's true rest for the soul. I don't have to be afraid or worry cause I know he protects and guides me. His rod and his staff, they comfort me. He leads me to rest in green pastures. His yoke is easy and his burden is light. I follow and learn from Him. I don't have to strive or lean on my own understanding anymore, which is exhausting and doesn't work anyway. But instead, He has proven to me in my most difficult of times, that I can trust Him and rest in Him. He is all I need. He is everything I need. Nothing in this world satisfies our souls and all our needs but Him. Praise God through our Lord Jesus Christ! 🙌
The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Amen.