Jesus used storytelling all through the gospels to help us understand Biblical principles. That’s why the Bible says “They overcame him [Satan] by the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony” (Rev. 12:11) – because we all have a story to tell.
My story and the foundation of my ministry began in October of 2005: the day I thought my life had ended. I received news at my job in downtown Houston that would alter life forever as I knew it on this Earth. I was told that my husband Adam (39), and our four youngest children, Jacob (12), Blake (10), Rachel (7) and Isaac (6), had all been killed instantly in a car accident. It was such shocking news that it felt like I stepped into a completely surreal place and was watching this happen to someone else. My first thoughts were, “Surely this could not be happening to my family.” And “Lord, where are you?” It was in those beginning moments that I experienced a grace of God that I’m not even sure I knew existed. He was immediately present and I could feel him closer than ever before. It was during this time that I understood the scripture “My grace is sufficient for you.” (2 Cor. 12:9) No matter how great or small, the grace of God is perfectly able to cover any and every situation we face. I don’t even know if I fully grasped what the “grace of God” actually meant until I walked through this utter devastation with him. My definition: the finished work of the Cross – the answer to every problem and the solution to every circumstance. His grace will always meet the need.
Beginning on the ride from downtown Houston to my church in LaMarque, Texas (about an hour) where we met with the police, God began to counsel and direct me with his truths about our incredible loss. I embraced these truths and in the first twenty-three days, was set free from the bondage of this devastation. Please understand that being set free is very different from a healed heart and a recovered and restored life. I was free to continue my life with the understanding that God would heal my heart, and that he still had plans for me and my other four children (yes, we had eight children – his, mine and ours) to live the abundant life that is promised to us all.
During the first eight months I spent many hours in the presence of God (the secret place) and cried a countless number of tears. Tears will do one of two things, either bind us up or set us free. If we will cry our tears in the arms of Jesus, the result is a healed heart. Some circumstances will require more process than others, but one thing I can assure you is that God will bring us along as quickly as we will let him. A surrendered heart is key!
Today, the lives of my children and I have been recovered and restored as we walk forward to accomplish the plans that God has for us. As an update, I met and married my wonderful husband Toby three and a half years ago. Our four oldest children, P.J. (26), Samantha (24), Amber (23) and Austin (22) continue to live life with peace, hope, joy, accomplishments and of course, challenges. With God, all things are possible!
Stay tuned each month as my story unfolds and I share the Biblical principles that lead us to freedom from the many different kinds of losses we can face. I am excited to see what God is going to do in the coming months as we learn to overcome!