In my earlier years my family went to church every Sunday.  That meant Sunday School to my siblings and me.   I was born and baptized Catholic, then when my mother remarried I was Protestant, and when I was 13 I became a Southern Baptist.  It was at this time that I noticed that all Religions seemed to pretty much interpret the Bible in a way that best suited them.  Leaving me with the idea that pretty much the Bible was just a book like any other, full of stories.  I left the church and started calling myself an Atheist.  

All my adult life I have been in one abusive relationship after another.  Not ever really feeling that anyone loved me for who I was or what I had to offer in a relationship.  God was never in any of these relationships.  There were beatings, verbal abuse and of course total control.  My mother seemed to be the only one who loved me unconditionally.   She was a good Christian woman, never pushy about the God in her life, but always an example.  She would give to others less fortunate before taking care of her own needs.  She always told me “God will take care of me and provide all that I need”.  I remember thinking she was nuts and would tell her “God helps those who help themselves”.   She never wavered in her belief.  I lost her in 2004 and felt extremely lost.

In 2006 I met a man who was to become my best friend.  He treated me just like my mom.  Always accepting, always believing, and always loving.  He believed in God, Angels and miracles, but never pushed any of it on me.  He just lived his life as an example, just like my mom.  He taught me how to be more giving, more loving, more understanding and to love myself.  He taught me how to ride which was one of the 2 greatest gifts he left me before he passed away in 2008.  When he was dying he told our Pastor that he was not afraid to die, for he knew God.  He was afraid that I would not find Jesus.  

The greatest gift Terry Spence left me was to lead me to The Way Ministries.  I started my walk in March 2008 and I know that my best friend smiles at me from Heaven.  I love being a Servant for God.  I love serving with The Way Ministries.  I met my husband in December 2008 and we were married in January 2010.  He is an awesome man of God.  He strengthens me when I feel I am not getting it.  I used to say “God never talks to me, what am I doing wrong”?  My husband tells me that God doesn’t speak to everyone in the same way.  That just because it was never a lightning bolt for me, he speaks to me in other ways so he doesn’t freak me out.  He would tell me that God knows to treat me more gently because of my past issues with men.  And you know he was right.  When I stopped waiting for the lightning bolt and just listened, there He was.  God is the center point in our marriage and everything we do.  I am a blessed, mighty woman of God!!

“T” Thissen