After leaving the church, we began the process of moving and getting on with our lives. We were successful and found a Christian lady to rent from quickly. We stayed there few months before finding a house that was more accommodating to our needs. I still had my teaching job and so was soon back to work. I drove to work every day for that year crying because of the pain and hurt. Realizing I couldn’t teach well this way, I began putting on praise music and singing along or quoting Scripture on the way to work. My prayer became, “Jesus, be Jesus in me. Keep me from bitterness and sin in this situation. Give me the strength to be Your person as you desire me to be.” By the time I arrived at the school, I was filled with His peace and knew that Jesus was with me and He would carry me through the day. And so it was for the next three years. Crying from the pain, praising and singing praise to Jesus because He still loved me, forgave me, strengthened me and kept me from bitterness and gave me the ability to forgive those who had hurt my family so much.

It was in that final year living in that town, that I discovered exactly how much God had worked in my heart. I went out to a small town near us for a jewelry show when it happened. For the hour or so it took me to drive to the home I was praising Jesus and listening to His word. I was totally at peace and filled with His joy. Once I got to the home of my client, I turned a corner in the house and came face to face with one of the perpetrators of our pain! I was blown away seeing her but was able to greet her with God’s love and joy. As I went to another area, I thanked Jesus for doing His work in me. I had absolutely no negative reactions at all! I am so glad I serve a Lord who changes our hearts and gives us His. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” Ezekiel 36:26 This has been a continuous response He has given me. Of course, I have times when I am more concerned with my feelings than another’s, but when I confess my sin of selfishness, He is gracious to forgive and cleanse my heart.

God took care of all our needs during this time. If we had to write out how we were able to live, pay our bills, and meet our obligations, it just wouldn’t compute. God is always caring for those who know and follow Him. He is faithful, even when we are not. He never changes, even though we are so wishy-washy. We can always trust His Word. What an awesome God we serve.

These are a few of the ways God proved His faithfulness to me during this time. I must say looking back from today’s perspective, I thank God for that experience. It pushed me into Jesus. It changed me to be more like Him. I certainly grew to love Him more and desire to please Him in all I do.

I pray He gets all the glory and honor through everything I do. I also pray that whatever you are going through today, you will reach out in faith and trust Jesus to walk with you and give you His peace. Nothing compares with knowing Him and following Him.