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Wicked Stepmother becomes Princess
My walk with the Lord was like a fairy tale. It was
love at first sight. He was my knight in shining armour. I was His
princess in my beautiful glittering gown, but I was also the wicked
stepmother.
I came from a family of Roman Catholics. As a family, we usually go
to church every Sunday and perform all the rituals that are expected
of us. However, at the young age of six, I already started to feel
that there must be more to being a Christian than just going to a
cathedral filled with loads of strangers , sing songs which I barely
understood, stand up and sit down whenever the priest says so and
wish 'peace be with you' . I can still remember myself uttering a
prayer asking God to make me experience the 'real thing'.
This request quickly became an answered prayer. Around that time, a
Christian couple (who became like my second parents) moved in to our
place and started a Bible Study for Kids. In here, I have found my
knight in shining armor who willingly embraced me in his loving
arms. I excitedly and religiously attended these classes and I
believe that these were the first steps in my journey in knowing
Christ. This same couple, together with other Christian believers in
our area established a community church which became a way for my
mother to know Christ deeply as well.
That church became the road for me to know Christ even better. As a
kid hungry for God's word, Bible stories were like music to my ears,
the way God created the heavens and the earth, how David beat
Goliath, how Samson had lost his power due to Delilah's betrayal,
how King Saul displayed wisdom when two women claimed to be the
mother of a baby. The list would be endless and these stories still
amaze me up to now.
I was always present in our dates. I would be at my best every
Sunday Service, excited to know more about Him. I've always felt
welcome and appreciated. Unlike many other love stories, the more I
get to know Him, the more I found out that there are no flaws in
Him.
As I grew up, I came to face the more harsh problems of life. I was
9 when my parents nearly separated and it was one of the lowest
points of my life. Those were months of pain and tears. As I saw my
father walk away from home, I saw my whole future came crashing
down, right before my very eyes. Even in that trying time, He was
there, holding my hand and making me feel that I would never be
alone. As I look back, I could still thank the Lord for allowing
that to happen. For we came out of the situation as a stronger
family, closer and more bonded with God.
After experiencing which for me is the worst problem I ever had to
face so far, we continued our walk with the Lord. My mother and I
became very actively involved in the activities of the church.
One of the most unforgettable experiences I have as a Christian was
my very first youth camp back in 1998. I can say that that
experience strengthened my faith and made me become 'wiser' in how
God wants me to live my life. That experience made me understand and
appreciate more the gift of salvation that God has offered to us.
And then I had to face the complexities and the confusion of my
teenage years. Apart from being the studious high school stud, I've
done some things which I'm not proud of. The once in love princess
had fallen into a deep slumber and the wicked stepmother took over.
I entered in a relationship with a non-Christian at a very young age
which was seriously contradicted by my parents. However, I thought I
could get away with it as long as I'm bringing home medals and
awards from school. In the long run, I found myself compromising to
sin, lying to my parents and making excuses for my latenight
arrivals at home. I still went to church, but I was always feeling
guilty and half-there. The decision to end what was causing me to
stray away from HIM took me five years to make. It was not easy. But
God helped me through it. After ending a relationship with someone
who was practically the center of my life for half a decade, I found
myself in a whole new world. Seeing people which I never even
noticed where there for me. Waiting for the princess to come back to
life.
A dream one night became my awakening kiss. In that dream, I was
being called by Jesus from the bottom of an empty darkness, begging
me to come back to Him. I reached out my hand and He held on to me,
never wanting me to let go. I found myself again in the loving arms
of my prince.
At this stage of my life, I can never say thank you enough to the
Christian friends who surrounded me at that time. Friends who have
shown more than love and support but an understanding that is
complete and without prejudice. In this set of friends, God has also
shown me the way to my real prince here on earth. The one that He
has prepared for me.
Truly, He has great plans for each and everyone. I had to go through
those dark times to see the light that was there all along. My life
after has been more than fulfilling, contented and joyful in the
comfort and security of my Savior.
Now that I am in a different continent, away from the guidance of my
parents and people from the church where I grew up, the GIBRALTAR
METHODIST CHURCH has been more than a family to me. I will forever
be grateful for the warm welcome and the love that they have shown
me and it has been a great privilege being a part of the ALPHA
COURSE. The talks have been life defining. The course has
strengthened my faith more than ever. It was like love the second
time around, sweet and engaging.
And now, as I continue to walk with Him, I would still often
encounter problems, struggles and temptations which are not as
difficult to handle for I can I always feel and I have faith in His
words, that He will never leave me, nor forsake me.
More than ever, I live my life now, looking forward to my happily
ever after with Jesus, my prince and my Lord.
Ronette |
