My Faith - My Foundation

 

Artwork By: Stephanie Krause - "Day 4: Numbers"

When asked about my testimony prior to this trip I really didn't know what to say.  There isn't a particular day or time in my life that I contribute to my salvation.  I guess most people have an awesome story to tell about how they came to accept Christ as their savior.  Me, well not so much.  Being raised in church and being a PK (Preacher's Kid) led to many lasting memories and friendships through our church family.  

The small country church we attended was built by Preacher Floyd, T.T. Floyd, and his loving wife Ms. May.  They both committed their lives to spreading the message of God's love and forgiveness. Their influence on my family started long before I was even a sparkle in my parents' eyes.  I know that my dad became very close to Preacher Floyd while serving in Vietnam, writing him and the church often and sharing his experiences with war, death, and forgiveness. My mom attended church with her parents as often as the doors were opened.  Her dad, my grandpa - or Papa as he was so often called, my dad's dad - and Preacher Floyd were of the original builders of the church. One interesting way to look at it is that my ancestors built the church that built me. My seed was planted and my spirituality grew and matured at Smithville Evangelical Baptist Church in Sumter, South Carolina.  


I remember going to the altar for prayer as a young child and asking God into my heart. Unfortunately, I also remember being scared to death when someone started speaking in tongues or when someone was filled with the Holy Spirit, running up and down the center aisle of the church.  If I didn't understand those things and what they were exactly, how could I understand accepting Christ as my Savior.  As I grew older, of course I matured spiritually and learned more about God's influence in my life and in the lives of those around me.  I learned what it meant to speak in tongues, why people were anointed, why prayer that involved laying of hands harbored so much emotion and pure faith in our Heavenly Father which are all key components to my beliefs, my faith, my salvation.  


When I got married I focused on me, my husband and my family, allowing myself to become distant from God. My priorities weren't where they needed to be and this was evident in my decisions and lack of trust in God's plan for my life.  I knew better than He what was best for me, or so I thought.  It wasn't until April 14, 2005 that my eyes were opened by the biggest loss I had ever experienced. The days after were a blur to me, but one thing was crystal clear.  If I ever planned to be with my Papa again, I needed to put my life in check.


Although Christian morals and beliefs were instilled in me from the day I was born, it was at this point that I decided to give God control of my life.  I know I was saved as a young child, but to me, that's the difference between being saved and giving yourself completely to Christ.