So they are no longer two...
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. -Matthew 19:6
I've always felt on edge when I talk about my past. And now that I'm a Pastor's wife I feel even a little more on edge. But a good friend of mine recently told me how I should never be ashamed of my past for my past is my testimony. God has taught me so much from my past, my mess-ups and I how I have grown as a Christian woman in that strength.
Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your widowhood you will remember no more. -Isaiah 54:4
When The Husband and I first met in college (English class), I was 19. The Husband got me a job at the bar he was working at and, shortly thereafter, we started dating. You can say we were living a life full of parties, alcohol, and more parties. I'm not sure how we made it to school on some days. But within the second month of us dating we got pregnant. I was 19, pregnant, with a man I'd just started dating and I was scared.
But....
God had a plan!
We were young, dumb and in love. But love alone doesn't prepare you for a child. Because of this precious baby I had growing inside me, I knew I had to change. I knew it was time to go back to church. I knew the life I was living was not ok for a mom. I wanted better for our child. I wanted our child to grow up in church, around family and, most of all, to know God!
The Husband and I had a long talk about our future. We started going back to church, stopped having sex, got pre-marital counseling and got married on September 26th, 2009--a short six months after I found out I was pregnant.
But....
God had a plan!
On December 17, 2009, that precious baby was born. Nolan rocked my world and turned it upside down and because of that I grew closer and closer to God. I now have three beautiful children and a Husband who not only loves the Lord but also loves me.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that no matter what you're going through in life, God has a plan. A good plan.
The struggles are real. We have had our ups and downs. However, God had and still has a plan. And because of that precious baby boy, I found the love of my life. God saved us through him. God knew what He was doing when he was creating Nolan inside me and to this day I am grateful for that blessing.
Never give up, trust in God and He will guide you.
I now know that I’m not alone in my past. That's my past, however bad or unconventional it might be. It is still my past but now my testimony. The Husband and I both wanted to go into the ministry when in high school and we both ran from that calling. We ran and ran and ran until there was no more running to be done. It’s so crazy to think about where we would both be if we hadn’t gotten pregnant; what our life would look like if we hadn’t gone back to church.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. -Jeremiah 29:11-12
"So they are no longer two..." is ENTRY THREE in our Share Your Story series throughout the month of March. Need to catch up on the series? Begin with ENTRY ONE!
Erica and her husband, Jared, have been married for seven years and in full-time ministry for only one year. They serve at First Assembly of God (San Antonio, TX). When asked "what shaped your ministry philosophy?" her response was "serving, serving, serving. I learned so much through my church family and serving in any area that was needed." (1 Samuel 12:24) While Erica's husband is a worship pastor, her passion for ministry is communications and women's ministry. She is currently taking classes to become a licensed pastor. Free time? "Anything and everything that has to do with outdoors. I love being active with my family and friends." You can follow Erica's blog at www.ericaswalk.com.
