Today I have a guest to share with you. I met Helen when I spoke to a writer’s group in Denver earlier this year. When I read her testimony of life change, my spirit rejoiced. I hope yours will too.
There’s always hope for the hopeless.
Welcome, Helen Mackovjak Williams. Here’s a glimpse of her story.
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In just eighteen short years of being poured into, I was brimming over with all sorts of emotions. I was fear-filled, shame-filled and guilt-filled. Oozing with paranoia, anxiety and pain, I spilled out anger and bewilderment. Stir all this together and you get a suicidal mess. Like an overflowing waste paper basket, I longed for someone to tip me over and pour me out, so I could start all over again.
Following a brutal rape, I spiraled downward until I felt I had no choice but to end my life. I felt like I made everything around me dirty – or guilty by association. I felt filthy.
After years of festering and smoldering, I put my children to bed and planned to die in my sleep. But in a twist of fate, I called a military chaplain before I popped my pills. While telling my story, the chaplain remained calm, almost uninterested. Then he asked if I had a Bible. Baffled by what good that could do me, I admitted that a friend had given us one, illustrated with Marines wearing camouflage. He told me to read Philippians 4: 4-8 and then we hung up. I sat there stunned, but some determined part of me found the dusty Bible on a bookshelf. Unfamiliar with it, my fingers turned the pages till my eyes fell on these verses.
“Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
As I read these words, a warmth rolled over me, like oil covering my body, from my head – dripping down to the floor. This is where I met Jesus and began exploring His Word and my freedom more than three decades ago.
From a wastebasket to a fruit basket, the vessel is glorified in Christ. Now I am filled, but with the fruit of the Spirit of God.
Stop by and meet Helen at her blog HERE
Find Helen on Facebook HERE
What a testimony, thank you for sharing! God bless you!
@tcavey1
Thank you. God’s blessings are everyone, even when we fail to see them.
What an inspiring testimony, Helen. Funny, just had to correct. I typed restimony … maybe that’s what it is, resting in HIm. I am touched by your story, and I love your bright picture. You sure don’t look like someone who has gone through all that – a testimony in itself. : ) Thanks for sharing.
RESTimony, yes!
Thank you, Kim! XOXOXO