How did I get here?

I had the honor of attending the dedication of Stephanie Johnson's home for her and her 3 kids from Habitat for Humanity. I've never seen anyone happier to sign a mortgage! 

About 7 years ago, her life was in a ditch. Year in a state mental hospital, lost her children, and approved for Social Security as unemployable.

She is steady and rooted as she now works with at-risk teens. She has had her kids back for several years, and is a great mom! She works mulitple jobs and is responsible with what God gives her.

What do you do when you feel like you've tried everything, the experts have tried everything, and your life is still a mess? "God, you're my only hope," was Stephanie's only prayer for over a year.

God did his part. Stephanie did her part. She is not only faithful, but she's intelligent and she's wise. These are her words.

I find myself tempted to think about "steps."
How did I get here from there?

There's always a temptation to hold onto the way, rather than to hold onto Jesus.

Israel was given a way. A way to return to trust and dependence on the One True God.
Isreal, like many religions, and like me, gave into the temptation to rely on themselves and their way. They lost sight of the God who created them. They lost sight of the God who created the way.

The truth is, everyone has a next step towards Christ.
Whatever that step may be, God is faithful.
YHWH meets us in Grand and Miraculous ways.
My desire is to abandon myself to the reality that: All I can do is take one more step.

This is a beautiful story of a life redeemed, but God keeps revealing an ever more beautiful layer. Stephanie writes and delivers the content for our View Point groups. More people will continue to find their way as she points them toward Jesus. I'm grateful for her life and that it's crossed mine!

Comments

[Elaine J Fairres]

Steps: Which ones will we choose? The easy and wrong paths or the hard and honorable path? Yes, it's true God gives us a way, opens a door and closes another. He gave us all a free will to choose right from wrong. Which will you choose?

I was faced with a choice this past week that left my head all confused, for a few days. Today my head is clear and I chose to stay on the hard and honorable path.
I thank my God for people like Stephanie who can relate to what others may be facing or have faced.
I hope I get to meet you some day Stephanie. God Bless

[Mark Waltz]

Thanks for sharing this great news and bit of Steph's story. I'm grateful for you, Steph! I tweeted this post so others could celebrate!

[Adam]

I remember when Stephanie spoke in front of me at a Journey class with Kathy Guy. It was interesting. I am happy for you Stephanie. I just wish something similar would happen for me. I just pray God does his part eventually for me and most of all for my kids.