Sunday, January 13, 2008

Aida's Grace Story

Before I get back into the full armor of God, I want to post this story from Aida. Early last year I asked to hear from YOU about your true stories of grace! So far I've received a few stories, and I want to thank those who have shared so far, and I'm really hoping that you will share YOUR story(s) as well so that others can be blessed and encouraged by hearing your real life experiences with God's grace. The above link explains it all.

Yesterday I heard from Aida. I hope her story encourages you as much as it encouraged me! It's amazing to hear the different paths we've all taken that have led us to where we are. If you have anything that you'd like to share about His grace in your life, you can email me:




Aida's Grace Story

As a child, I was raised Roman Catholic even though we didn’t go to mass nor did we follow the Catholic traditions. When I was in high school, a friend invited me to her Baptist youth group. Looking for a place to belong, I became active in the church and in the youth group. One day, the pastor’s wife asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus. Wanting to please her, I prayed the sinner’s prayer with her.

Even though I continued being deeply involved in their activities, I really didn’t understand what salvation was all about. Consequently, when I went off to college and I didn’t have the support of a local group of believers, I drifted away. While in college, I met my husband and married.

Although he had been raised as a believer, neither one of us was a follower of Christ. Several years later, we moved to my husband’s hometown in South Carolina. His parents were very active in a local fellowship and, seeing this, I began to yearn for a relationship with Jesus like I had once had. I became involved with a local group of believers but my husband did not attend the meetings with me. I continued to attend and took my two children with me. Since, I didn’t understand grace, I raised them deeply in religion. After a number of years, my husband began attending with us.

In time, I began seeking a deeper walk with the Lord and, in 1997, while in a bookstore, I was very strongly impressed to buy Charles Stanley’s book “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life.” That’s when my adventure into this life of grace began. That book led me to other books about grace. I eagerly read them but, for some reason, it didn’t connect. Then, in 1998, Father led me to an Assembly of God church. It was there through the pastor’s teachings that I began to question a lot of what I’d been taught. This pastor is the one Father worked through to teach me how to think outside of the religious box.

Unfortunately, he was very insecure and very controlling and later became very abusive. I finally had to leave the group and wandered several months feeling like a little lost sheep. I finally ended up back with the previous group of believers but this time it was different. Although I tried fitting back in, I couldn’t because I could no longer accept a lot of what I had previously believed.

Father later used a women’s conference I attended to get me to continue searching. I started searching the internet and discovered that there were others who were also questioning what they had been taught. I made some online connections with believers who encouraged my search.

Several months ago, one of my friends sent me an article by Steve McVey. I enjoyed it so much that I did a google search and found his website. I bought some of his books and began to devour his teachings. It was what I had been searching for all of these years. Following a link on Steve’s website, I found Grace Roots and other blogs and websites that taught the truth about grace.

As a result, I have grown more in these last few months than I have in all of the 30+ years that I’ve been a believer. It’s finally making sense and I’m now learning how to live the grace walk on a more consistent basis. I find it amazing that what made no sense to me 10 years ago when Father first started teaching me about grace is now making perfect sense. I’m so thankful that he didn’t give up on me but took me on a different path that ultimately has led to where I am today.

Thanks for sharing, Aida!

4 comments:

  1. Awesome story!!! Charles Stanley definitely has impacted my walk as a believer as well. One day I was flipping through the channels (back when I watched anything to do with God. Even the 700 Club every morning) and I found him preaching on being absent from the body and present with the Lord. I was hooked instantly. I have very fond memories of last winter because of him, leading me to understand God's heart more and more.

    Thank you for sharing indeed!!

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  2. It is a big sigh of relief when we finally come home. I praise God for you. Thank you for sharing!

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  3. Yeah that was great Aida. I can remember Charles Stanley once saying that the reason other believers dont want you to have assurance is because they lack assurance. It has really stuck with me. The gracewalk is the only way though and Steve McVey is certainly hitting on some powerful truths and using some attention grabbers.

    Grace upon Grace guys,

    Brian

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  4. Thanks for the comments regarding my story.

    Matthew, actually, I haven't really read or heard anything else by Charles Stanley but that book was a life changer. I had gone to the bookstore where my daughter was working to meet her for lunch. While I was waiting, I stopped and looked at the books and this one seemed to attach itself to my hand and not stay on the shelf. Not literally but it seemed that way.

    Being a quick learner, I asked Father if I was supposed to buy the book. Well, I did and I've never been the same since.

    Thanks, Bino. You're right. I have come home and starting the journey back to Father was the best decision I ever made.

    I agree with you, Brian. Religion has made the gospel so complicated but Steve McVey's teachings have opened my eyes to the truth that was hidden under all of the religious baggage. Each day, I feel as though it's getting a little clearer.

    Aida

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