Brenda Martin-McGraw
I was raised by both of my parents, and we would go to church every Christmas and Easter and maybe a few times in between. I was raised Methodist and believed in God and knew that Jesus had died on the Cross and rose 3 days later. We celebrated Advent every Christmas and recited the Lord’s Prayer every Church Service. As a teenager I remember going to a youth event with my best friend at her church and hearing that I needed to be saved and needed to ask Jesus in my heart. I also remember not wanting to do that because I thought being a Christian wasn’t fun and it was boring. So…I rejected God. I had chosen a party lifestyle and experimented with things I have later regretted. The road I went down led me to my adult life. I got married at 19, and we continued to party until God got my attention at age 24 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I went through 5 surgeries in one year. During this time my faith in God grew but once I got well and was healed of cancer I continued to live a life without God.
But God had a plan for me because when I was pregnant with my 2nd child He moved us right beside a Baptist preacher. He and his wife started inviting us to their church. We did start visiting and I realized that if I were to die I wouldn’t go to Heaven because the only way to get to Heaven is by asking Jesus to come into my heart and live for Him, and I had never done that. I heard of God’s forgiveness and love and I knew that I needed a Savior! I probably said the sinner’s prayer 3 or 4 times just to make sure I was saved. I remember asking God to show me who Jesus is because I didn’t know Him. I only knew of Him. I realized that if I had died when I had cancer I would not have gone to Heaven. Even though I had faith in God and thought I would have - I didn’t know Jesus. My life started changing and God changed my desires. I had a very strong desire to study God’s word and pray. But…as I mentioned a life without Jesus and bad choices has consequences.
I went through a divorce 12 years later due my husband’s addictions. This was the hardest thing that I had ever been through…the emotional pain was much harder than even the physical pain I had experienced from cancer. But God gave me many promises and was so very faithful to me and carried me through this. And He has used my pain and tears to minister to many others. God gave me a verse many years ago - Jer. 29:11: “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. ” He just wants us to seek Him first with all of our heart! I am now married again to a wonderful, godly, humble, selfless man. I have great kids and loving godly friends. My life is full of joy and peace! God is faithfuil!! Do YOU trust Him? I do!!!
Posted in I Faced a Tragedy, I Made Bad Choices, I Ran from / Avoided God ,
