I once was asked by my nephew if I thought I would be the same person if I wasn’t a Christian. I didn’t even have to think about that question. I absolutely knew that I would not even come close to being the same person. I didn’t have a clue who I would be or what my life would look like if I didn’t know Jesus and have him in my life, and I wouldn’t want to know. Everything good in my life was because of Jesus.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Cor. 5:17
I had a pretty rough childhood, and even though we weren’t avid churchgoers, I always felt Jesus’ presence, especially when home life was scary. I sometimes would hide from my dad on weekends to escape his wrath, and I always felt someone was there with me.
At the age of thirteen I accepted Jesus as my Savior. That was when I knew the Lord was the comfort I had always felt.
My life was still in an uproar. My circumstances didn’t change when I came to know the Lord, but I had peace knowing that I had a heavenly Father. I knew that whatever happened to me, I was not alone, nor was I unloved.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
I got married at the age of sixteen. I thought life had finally become normal. I was elated knowing that someone loved me and I loved him. I was happy. Life was like a fairytale. We never argued. Life was the way I had only dreamed it could be. After less than three years of marriage, my husband came in one day and told me he was engaged to a lady that worked for him. My utopia crumbled. Still, even in my despair, I felt the presence of the Lord and knew everything would work out.
I moved back to Plainview and tried to begin a fresh new life. It wasn’t long before I met Bobby. He was going through a similar situation. His wife left him and we understood each other’s pain. We got married and have been together for 45 years. There have been lots of ups and downs, but we are a cord of three strands. God is at the center of our lives, and He has seen us through the good times and the bad.
In September 2018, I found out I had breast cancer. It was really strange when I was given that diagnosis. I wasn’t scared. I thought something was wrong with me for not being afraid. I was certain I would be okay. I didn’t know what the future would hold, but I knew Who held my future.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I don’t think I have ever been as close to the Lord as during that time. I had a couple of friends who had breast cancer and were going through treatments at the same time I was. They have both passed away, both with peace, knowing who held their future as well.
Jesus has held true to his promise that he would never leave me or forsake me.
We want to thank Naomi Jones for sharing this post.
Women's Ministry 