Godsgrace
12-17-2003, 08:52 PM
Written by Mary Ann Redondo
April 10, 2003
When I first met my friend, Dotty and the joy that beamed from her, that joy, which sprang forth out of her, no matter what, was going on in her life? I wanted what she possessed, that joy and assurance of a loving God. She would speak about Jesus so personally that it made my hair stand up on
edge at the back of my neck. I wanted the Jesus she spoke about, this
loving, forgiving Son of God who could love me just as I was.
I was a Catholic girl from a Catholic family and really did not know much about salvation, Where I went to church, everything was in Latin. I did not get much spiritual teaching about who Jesus was because my father would not allow us to go to any classes at church. Although, my mother tried her best to instill in us the love of God through her life, all she knew was to trust God, no matter what happened in her life. You see my mom was born with Neurofibromatosis Disease, she did not let this get her down, she trusted the Lord God even more. When I was the age of four, my brother Donny, age seven, was killed by a hit and run driver. When my mom told me Donny had gone to heaven, I remember the hurt I felt inside of me; we were inseparable, always together.
At the age of eight, I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (tumors
throughout my body). When I was age 12, my brother Michael, age 13, was killed by police bullets meant for someone else. Michael was shot five times in the back; he only lived three days. A year later, my abusive father passed away from an exposed pancreas from drinking too much. That was a relief for the whole family, sorry to say we had live with my father’s abusiveness for too long.
Things were looking up for my mom, two brothers and me; we moved to a better neighbor and went to new schools. My oldest brother Lee who was 17 took charge of the family to make life a little easier for us. We went to a new church, the priests and nuns there were so nice, I saw something different in their countenance, they had so much joy and love, and it again
made me long to be happy and wanted what they had. This was the first time in my life; I started to learn who Jesus was and what He had done for
me. I enter High school and that is when I stopped going to this new church, and became involved with a young man that was 4 years older than me. My mother and brothers did not approve of him. The devil threw a monkey wrench to try and spoiled the plan that the Lord God had for my life, but God had another plan in the waiting. My mom knew how to do one thing very well, intercede for me. I dated this young man for two years. I finally saw the truth about him and called it quits, at the age of 17. Whatever I saw in this young man, to this day, I will never know. They say love is blind, well I was deaf, dumb and blind for this young man was bad news. I took my mom through many trials due to my disobedience.
Well, I pulled my act together and went back to school with a full vigor to learn all I could. I still was unsure of who I was and how I could get that joy that I saw in the priests and nuns faces. I still Did not understand who Jesus was; I did not even understand the plan of salvation.
One day in 1980, I was watching a documentary called “The Late Great Planet Earth” the documentary was about the events that would happen to humankind. This threw me into an emotionally state that caused me to have a nervous breakdown at the age of 25. I was diagnosed as manic depressive; I was put in a manic depression ward at the local hospital and put on valium and tranquilizers. The medication helped to calm me down; it did not take away the emptiness I felt Deep inside of me; I still wished that I were someone else, because they Seemed so happy and together. My mom still continued to pray for me. Still God had another plan.
I was released three weeks later as an outpatient for treatment. I went back to work, this is where my friend Dotty befriended me and showed me the love of Jesus. To this day, I will forever be grateful for meeting her, for she showed and shared the love of Jesus to me. She took the time for me when I was at my lowest state emotionally. I had gotten very Close to Dotty, we spend whatever time we could together. Dotty would share with me the trials of her life and how God had brought her through it all. She shared with me the Salvation message of Jesus Christ; I wanted this Jesus she talked about so joyfully and personally.
Weeks passed, but Dotty was forever faithful and kept witnessing to me. It was around Easter time, Dotty invited me to a musical event at her church. The gospel group from Faith Bible College was giving a concert; I accepted the invitation to go with her. On March 17, 1981, I found what I was looking for, that empty spot deep within me was filled. I saw and embraced the light, joy, Love, and Salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ; I made Jesus, my Savior and Lord of my heart and life. God had another plan.
Six months later, my mom publicly accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord. My mom told me, that she had already prayed a prayer to the Lord God 20 years before, although she did not know that what she had prayed was called the Sinners prayer. It would always bewildered me, how mom went through all those extreme trials and tribulations with such a peace.
It has been 22 years since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior; and I still keep falling in love with Him each and every day. I am not saying I have not had trials along the way, but with Jesus as my Savior, He has walked me through every trial and circumstance in my life. I think I am becoming a women of God like my mom, interceding and trusting in the Most High God in whatever circumstance I am experiencing. My mom has gone on to be with the Lord almost 10 years now. I am forever grateful to have had A Godly mother and A steadfast Godly friend who did not give up on me.
I am forever grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ and will serve Him until the day He takes me home to be with Him forever.
April 10, 2003
When I first met my friend, Dotty and the joy that beamed from her, that joy, which sprang forth out of her, no matter what, was going on in her life? I wanted what she possessed, that joy and assurance of a loving God. She would speak about Jesus so personally that it made my hair stand up on
edge at the back of my neck. I wanted the Jesus she spoke about, this
loving, forgiving Son of God who could love me just as I was.
I was a Catholic girl from a Catholic family and really did not know much about salvation, Where I went to church, everything was in Latin. I did not get much spiritual teaching about who Jesus was because my father would not allow us to go to any classes at church. Although, my mother tried her best to instill in us the love of God through her life, all she knew was to trust God, no matter what happened in her life. You see my mom was born with Neurofibromatosis Disease, she did not let this get her down, she trusted the Lord God even more. When I was the age of four, my brother Donny, age seven, was killed by a hit and run driver. When my mom told me Donny had gone to heaven, I remember the hurt I felt inside of me; we were inseparable, always together.
At the age of eight, I was diagnosed with Neurofibromatosis (tumors
throughout my body). When I was age 12, my brother Michael, age 13, was killed by police bullets meant for someone else. Michael was shot five times in the back; he only lived three days. A year later, my abusive father passed away from an exposed pancreas from drinking too much. That was a relief for the whole family, sorry to say we had live with my father’s abusiveness for too long.
Things were looking up for my mom, two brothers and me; we moved to a better neighbor and went to new schools. My oldest brother Lee who was 17 took charge of the family to make life a little easier for us. We went to a new church, the priests and nuns there were so nice, I saw something different in their countenance, they had so much joy and love, and it again
made me long to be happy and wanted what they had. This was the first time in my life; I started to learn who Jesus was and what He had done for
me. I enter High school and that is when I stopped going to this new church, and became involved with a young man that was 4 years older than me. My mother and brothers did not approve of him. The devil threw a monkey wrench to try and spoiled the plan that the Lord God had for my life, but God had another plan in the waiting. My mom knew how to do one thing very well, intercede for me. I dated this young man for two years. I finally saw the truth about him and called it quits, at the age of 17. Whatever I saw in this young man, to this day, I will never know. They say love is blind, well I was deaf, dumb and blind for this young man was bad news. I took my mom through many trials due to my disobedience.
Well, I pulled my act together and went back to school with a full vigor to learn all I could. I still was unsure of who I was and how I could get that joy that I saw in the priests and nuns faces. I still Did not understand who Jesus was; I did not even understand the plan of salvation.
One day in 1980, I was watching a documentary called “The Late Great Planet Earth” the documentary was about the events that would happen to humankind. This threw me into an emotionally state that caused me to have a nervous breakdown at the age of 25. I was diagnosed as manic depressive; I was put in a manic depression ward at the local hospital and put on valium and tranquilizers. The medication helped to calm me down; it did not take away the emptiness I felt Deep inside of me; I still wished that I were someone else, because they Seemed so happy and together. My mom still continued to pray for me. Still God had another plan.
I was released three weeks later as an outpatient for treatment. I went back to work, this is where my friend Dotty befriended me and showed me the love of Jesus. To this day, I will forever be grateful for meeting her, for she showed and shared the love of Jesus to me. She took the time for me when I was at my lowest state emotionally. I had gotten very Close to Dotty, we spend whatever time we could together. Dotty would share with me the trials of her life and how God had brought her through it all. She shared with me the Salvation message of Jesus Christ; I wanted this Jesus she talked about so joyfully and personally.
Weeks passed, but Dotty was forever faithful and kept witnessing to me. It was around Easter time, Dotty invited me to a musical event at her church. The gospel group from Faith Bible College was giving a concert; I accepted the invitation to go with her. On March 17, 1981, I found what I was looking for, that empty spot deep within me was filled. I saw and embraced the light, joy, Love, and Salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ; I made Jesus, my Savior and Lord of my heart and life. God had another plan.
Six months later, my mom publicly accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord. My mom told me, that she had already prayed a prayer to the Lord God 20 years before, although she did not know that what she had prayed was called the Sinners prayer. It would always bewildered me, how mom went through all those extreme trials and tribulations with such a peace.
It has been 22 years since I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior; and I still keep falling in love with Him each and every day. I am not saying I have not had trials along the way, but with Jesus as my Savior, He has walked me through every trial and circumstance in my life. I think I am becoming a women of God like my mom, interceding and trusting in the Most High God in whatever circumstance I am experiencing. My mom has gone on to be with the Lord almost 10 years now. I am forever grateful to have had A Godly mother and A steadfast Godly friend who did not give up on me.
I am forever grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ and will serve Him until the day He takes me home to be with Him forever.