The year was 1973 and I just graduated Richmond High School. Excited about my future in College. One Saturday morning, I would hear a loud crash in our bathroom. Someone would run for our neighbor Tom to get the door open. A true hero in my heart. My dad would have a sudden Heart Attack and would be pronounced dead when my mom and I would arrive at the hospital.
MY STORY ~ 18 years old.
Just a kid who grew up very fast after my dad's death.
Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I would see nothing good about my dad leaving earth and become very angry with the God he served. I wasn't going to church or connected to God. I didn't understand why my dad died so young. As I heard my mom cry day and night, my nerves got the best of me. I was taken to the hospital and told that my life needed a change. The doctor put me on nerve medication and my aunt Pearl began to tell me the importance of moving forward.
I loved my mom dearly and I knew that she loved God. I was mad at God, but I knew if I could get her to church, maybe her life would change. It was there that I heard this little boy named Terry was going to preach. I never heard a little boy preached and I asked my mom to go back with me. I didn't know that Terry was the same age as me. I heard his message and he was asked to speak again. So we went back again. Over time I saw my mom beginning to feel a little hope. Keep in mind, my mom was in her early 40's. She smiled a bit and that made my heart happy. She wasn't screaming to die every night and I knew this God thing must make a difference.
It was on a Sunday morning when a young woman would teach the teenage class at church. She began to share her story of her dad dying when she was 18 years old. It of course sparked my interest and I listened from my heart. As she cried and said how mad she was at God, tears just came into my eyes. I felt like she was sharing my story. Then she said one day, God spoke to her about seasons of life and a time to be born and a time to die. It was the beginning of my life changing forever. It was time for me to deal with my dad's death and help my mom even more.
The wonder of it all began. Was I suppose to go to church and meet Terry? He was a nice friend but I wasn't attracted to him at all. It took time and my heart grew to want to know more about God. The anger was still there, but the way I dealt with it became different. I found myself growing in a mind change while so much was happening in my life. My normal was gone and my new normal was changing daily. I started College and I heard words that helped me as well. I was leaning to balance a new life and was trying hard to figure it all out.
ONE YEAR LATER ~
Terry and I would start dating. The year was 1974 and it was time for change again. I have surrendered my heart to God and ask his forgiveness for being mad plus not understanding. Keep in mind I am only 19 years old at this point. I asked God to help me and make me into a stronger person. Life was just so hard and I helped my mom financially too. But the point of this story is my story. Years would pass and in 1977 I would marry Terry. We saved money for our wedding, the people in it bought their own dress and rented their tux. A beautiful wedding would happen and my dad would not walk me down the isle but watch from Heaven.
Fast forward to the year 2016.
Terry and I have been through so much. We had disappointments, sorrows, deaths, tears, lack of work, lack of money, loosing our house, loosing cars, making wrong choices, sinned and asked forgiveness. Happiness would happen also with two beautiful kids who grew up to amazing adults. As life moved forward, Grandchildren would enter our lives and we truly understand the would grand. I think the marriage vow of better or worse sticks with us. Yet, we had moments of wonder if our marriage would work. God does turn our mess ups around and brings good from them. It is kinda like the unanswered prayers that become better than we thought.
Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
NEVER ~ NEVER ~ NEVER
Compare your life to anyone else. You walk the path that God has planned for you, your journey moves forward daily and our mindsets are very important. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. Keep your story available for ears that needs your example! That's why we are different, God uses each of our stories for good if we allow him. We just never know the other side of a story at times. As for Terry and I, we continue trusting God in all areas of life. Never comparing our lives to others, but to be thankful for what we do have in this life.
Happy 39th Anniversary Mr. Terry!
~ Sparkie
Just a kid who grew up very fast after my dad's death.
Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
I would see nothing good about my dad leaving earth and become very angry with the God he served. I wasn't going to church or connected to God. I didn't understand why my dad died so young. As I heard my mom cry day and night, my nerves got the best of me. I was taken to the hospital and told that my life needed a change. The doctor put me on nerve medication and my aunt Pearl began to tell me the importance of moving forward.
I loved my mom dearly and I knew that she loved God. I was mad at God, but I knew if I could get her to church, maybe her life would change. It was there that I heard this little boy named Terry was going to preach. I never heard a little boy preached and I asked my mom to go back with me. I didn't know that Terry was the same age as me. I heard his message and he was asked to speak again. So we went back again. Over time I saw my mom beginning to feel a little hope. Keep in mind, my mom was in her early 40's. She smiled a bit and that made my heart happy. She wasn't screaming to die every night and I knew this God thing must make a difference.
It was on a Sunday morning when a young woman would teach the teenage class at church. She began to share her story of her dad dying when she was 18 years old. It of course sparked my interest and I listened from my heart. As she cried and said how mad she was at God, tears just came into my eyes. I felt like she was sharing my story. Then she said one day, God spoke to her about seasons of life and a time to be born and a time to die. It was the beginning of my life changing forever. It was time for me to deal with my dad's death and help my mom even more.
The wonder of it all began. Was I suppose to go to church and meet Terry? He was a nice friend but I wasn't attracted to him at all. It took time and my heart grew to want to know more about God. The anger was still there, but the way I dealt with it became different. I found myself growing in a mind change while so much was happening in my life. My normal was gone and my new normal was changing daily. I started College and I heard words that helped me as well. I was leaning to balance a new life and was trying hard to figure it all out.
ONE YEAR LATER ~
Terry and I would start dating. The year was 1974 and it was time for change again. I have surrendered my heart to God and ask his forgiveness for being mad plus not understanding. Keep in mind I am only 19 years old at this point. I asked God to help me and make me into a stronger person. Life was just so hard and I helped my mom financially too. But the point of this story is my story. Years would pass and in 1977 I would marry Terry. We saved money for our wedding, the people in it bought their own dress and rented their tux. A beautiful wedding would happen and my dad would not walk me down the isle but watch from Heaven.
Fast forward to the year 2016.
Terry and I have been through so much. We had disappointments, sorrows, deaths, tears, lack of work, lack of money, loosing our house, loosing cars, making wrong choices, sinned and asked forgiveness. Happiness would happen also with two beautiful kids who grew up to amazing adults. As life moved forward, Grandchildren would enter our lives and we truly understand the would grand. I think the marriage vow of better or worse sticks with us. Yet, we had moments of wonder if our marriage would work. God does turn our mess ups around and brings good from them. It is kinda like the unanswered prayers that become better than we thought.
Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
NEVER ~ NEVER ~ NEVER
Compare your life to anyone else. You walk the path that God has planned for you, your journey moves forward daily and our mindsets are very important. My prayers continue for you, your family and friends. Keep your story available for ears that needs your example! That's why we are different, God uses each of our stories for good if we allow him. We just never know the other side of a story at times. As for Terry and I, we continue trusting God in all areas of life. Never comparing our lives to others, but to be thankful for what we do have in this life.
Happy 39th Anniversary Mr. Terry!
~ Sparkie
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