Rhonda's Personal testimony

I accepted Jesus when I was about 5 but I never had a relationship with him until I was 17. But before I started my relationship I always felt alone. I really had low self-esteem. I grew up in a home with a sister who was a drug addict and my parents always spent their time trying to fix her. I tried to be that perfect child and even when I started my relationship with Jesus I tried to be perfect for Him too. But, I never got the concept of God loving me for me. I went through a divorce, loss of a parent and my identity became in what I did for a living or in material things. Eventually, this all caught up to me and as I continued to try to be that "perfect" person I started drinking and taking pills to escape my pain. I pretending I was doing fine but I was dying on the inside. My second marriage was falling apart, my children were beginning to push me out of their life. I had no friends. I had no job and the only joy in my life was sleeping. I even tried to end my life by cutting my wrists hoping to bleed to death. It was when I was at the end of my rope that I called out to God for help.

I had tried many, many times to stop drinking and taking pills. When I finally surrendered to God and gave him full control of my life it was then that He did His magic. God allowed me to go into an inpatient recovery home to help me get off the pills. Although it was a slow process, God began to change me from the inside out. Little by little He restored me. My relationship with my husband got better, and my relationship with my children is better now then it has ever been. I stated attending Celebrate Recovery for my addiction, and completed a 12 step program with a sponsor, whom I now consider one of my best friends. God has given me fulfillment that not my husband, my children or materialist things could ever compare to. I have been freed from trying to be that "perfect" person and have realized that it is only by God's amazing grace and His love for me I have been called. I have so much joy in my heart and I am truly living life to its fullest.

Now, I realize I am a child of God and He loves me unconditional. I know I am a sinner but I also know because of my sins He loved me so much that He died on that cross for me to be forgiven when I fall short. I know when my time is up I will be in paradise forever.

I am so grateful that God saved my life and didn't let me die. He has given me hope that nothing is impossible and I am now able to share with others the same kind of hope.

Because of my walk with God I was at total peace when my youngest daughter almost died. I knew God was in full control and because of this I was able to be there for my husband. I was told that everyone was amazed at how calm I was during this difficult time and I was honored to give ALL the glory to God. God saved her life and it is a miracle that no one can deny.

I know without a question that when I die I will be in Heaven. The reason for this is because I believe in what His word says. Ephesian 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift from God."