AND I HELD HER HAND
A TESTIMONY OF HIS LOVE
by
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We began to turn more to God as these issues crowded in redirecting the life we had planned for ourselves. We fell in with folks at our church that directed us to some weekend retreats. I went fighting and kicking all the way. This bubbly, happy fellow took me under his wing and wouldn’t let go. I began to relax with the cot, the gym, the lack of privacy and the early rah-rah shout with follow up rousing song at an ungodly hour of the morning. Some of what was being said soaked in and touched that place in my heart that reminded me that I had a clear call to ministry when I was fourteen. I had run away from it encouraged that I had done the right thing after a confrontation with a pastor from my old church that resulted in my dad physically removing him from our home. Here I was isolated with the one who had once touched me…the one that I had a casual “I’ll call you when I need you” relationship with. After much sharing, much testimony of lives changed and bible study we were given an opportunity to go to an assigned room by ourselves for prayer and consideration of all that had been presented to us. While in that room, I found myself opening up to God the way I had opened up to my wife on that night we met. The honesty that I was able to express about myself…the good, the bad and the ugly….and my hurts began to break loose some hidden away pain. Suddenly I realized I was not alone in that room any more as I was engulfed in a cloud (spiritual, not literal) of peace I had never experienced. I was so comforted that I began to weep asking for forgiveness and for changes to be made in my life. I was happy with my wife, but I was not happy with myself or nearly as confident and settled as everyone thought I was. I came out of that room a changed man with a lot of changes that would stem from this initial experience over the coming years. My darling wife was blessed in the same way when she attended with the women the next month. We were a changed couple. We had been going to church for a long time, but now we had received the gift of Jesus Christ on a personal basis making Him Lord of our lives. We made a commitment to God at that time. This was the time when we brought repentance for previous actions before Him and we walked away feeling that we were set free. The ultimate proof would come through the ensuing years when we were blessed in so many ways as we learned to follow His will and His ways.
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About the Book
A young boy and a young girl would lose their way in their teenage and young adult years. A date in time was set when these two would meet on a blind date. They would carry loneliness and pain into this budding relationship but what had been instilled in the young woman would direct them to God's planned pathway. This is a story of young love that struggles as the past and present intertwine ushering in the issues of life's challenges. There is a gradual, but continual change in priorities as the blessing of their relationship with each other and God grows. The gifts of greater faith and trust are received as it is revealed that a deeper, more intimate walk is truly possible. Experience the joys and heartaches of life as two people learn to love, live, and trust as they become one force against the challenges that confront them.
About the Author
At 67 years of age there has developed a storehouse of glorious victories, trials and tribulations that demand sharing that others may come to know they are not alone in their walk. Learning to sit at the feet of the Master (Jesus) and to be taught by God's Spirit defines the lifetime of experiences related in "And I Held Her Hand". My perception of situations, circumstances and challenges had to be made subject to God's ways through trust, faith and obedience. Through this process He revealed to me His desire that none should perish. He also revealed His truth that sets us free to follow Him. From the time I received a call to serve the Lord at the age of 14 and accepted it, His unseen hand constantly interacted with me. God never forsook me nor did He turn away from me. I would find myself being guided to a proper walk in the light even when I had caused myself to become shrouded in darkness. Learning to recognize God's hand moving on my behalf, asking for forgiveness when necessary and thanking Him for being my God brought an increase in who I was as a person. I found my way through loneliness to a beautiful relationship with Him and the woman that he blessed me with for 38 years. That intimate relationship continues today and is attested to in this testimony of His love for all who will come to Him. I now reside in Texas raising three grandchildren. Early retirement has addressed the present situation in my life. I continue to heal from the sorrow and loneliness that accompany the loss of a loved one. God's healing presence is nurturing my spirit, comforting my soul and strengthening my body.