The Spirit Lives Ministries Newsletter: Margaret A.- This minister grew more spiritually during the tough times

February 16, 2003
Margaret A.- This minister grew more spiritually during the tough times
My name is Margaret. I was blessed to be born into a Christian family and was baptized in the Methodist Church at the age of nine months. I grew up in a small southern town and was again blessed to be nurtured not only by my family, but by my church and my community. I went through Confirmation Classes with three other young friends and became a full member of the church at the age of ten. I trusted in Christ as my Lord and Savior and felt the assurance of His Presence in my life.

My high school years and my young adult years were blessed with friends, a college education, and marriage to my high school sweetheart. My husband was a dentist and my background was in education. We quickly had four wonderful children and life was busy.

We worked hard and were successful but soon found that a busy professional and social life did not truly bring satisfaction to our lives. We had invested heavily in real estate and began to experience a lot of financial stress. It was during these years of stress and anxiety that I really came to know Jesus Christ in a much deeper and more intimate way than ever before. We grow spiritually not when things are so easy but more often than not, we grow spiritually when things are tough.

I became very active in my church and was fed spiritually and nurtured by several older women in the church. I learned that I can never outgive God. The more of ourselves that we seek to give to God, the more God blesses. I learned that there are many people -- always-- that are very lonely and separated from God and do not think that anyone cares about them. There are always people that are in mourning, loss, and distress. We are to love and encourage one another in the name of Jesus Christ. Ask God to allow you to be a faithful friend and listener to those that are suffering. Ask God to help you share the hope of Jesus Christ with others. Begin to grow spiritually today. Trust in God and be fully “sold out” to the Lord.

I have experienced loss in my personal life-- the death of my only brother, my parents, my husband. But-- I can testify to the fact that God is faithful. I have remarried, my life is full and productive. I love Jesus Christ with all my heart and am privileged to be His servant in the world. I was called by God into the ordained ministry. I believe that every Christian is called by God to be a minister. It is in His service that we find our joy and purpose in this life. May God bless you, encourage you, and use you to bring the light of Christ to the world.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]

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