Claire’s Testimony

Hi, My name is Claire and I'm 44 years old. I've been saved now for 25 years, and I'm very grateful that God saved me when he did. I was 19 years old, and had already given up on life. I was a complete emotional wreck inside. I had tried everything I thought would help make me happy, and nothing had. I had been to counselors, been on anti-depressants, I had tried being “good”, had gone the party route, the boyfriend route, drinking, even had a short stint trying to look for fame, but at the end of the day the deep sense of emptiness and darkness that I felt was still there. I had always believed in Jesus, but I had also begun questioning and doubting what was the “real” truth? Who was God, REALLY. I wasn’t sure, but the only thing I knew to do was ask Him. I would pray in my quiet moments, and in desperation ask Him, “WHO ARE YOU? WHO is right?” On July 9, 2000, He answered me in the most undeniable way. I had come to church, reluctantly, because I was so disillusioned I didn’t think anything could help me or change me. The whole time the man preached it was like he was reading my mind. He even called me out and spoke directly to me about things that nobody knew. I had asked Jesus to show me he was real, and told him that if he did I would change, so I had to keep that promise. I had no more excuses to keep living life MY way; drinking, living with a guy I wasn’t married to, partying, cussing, being bitter in my heart, angry, and jealous, etc. I made a decision to ask Jesus into my heart and made a promise to let Him call the shots in my life from that point forward. Which meant forgiving others, and saying no to the lifestyle I was used to living.

Since then, I’ve lived a life completely different from anything I had ever planned or pictured, with Jesus as my friend, my father, my counselor, my help, always. He’s helped me realize that I’m not rejected. I’m not a victim. I can make mistakes and take responsibility for them without fear. I’ve also been able to live a completely sober life, even through hard times. I’ve been able to be a wife, a mother, and a loyal friend. Most of all He’s given me the strength to be honest and truthful with myself, others, and Him. Which has meant that I don’t have to live life pretending to be someone or something that I’m not. He’s given me a fullness and satisfaction in my relationships with friends and family that I know I would never have had if He hadn’t rescued me when He did. There’s too much to write in a short testimony, but if you’re reading this, my hope is that you will come and find out what God has waiting for you too. It’s very real, and if you surrender your life and let Jesus help you, you will never regret it.