Enjoy this encouraging testimony from one of our members--

I have never told this story, but as I have listened to the wonderful preaching this week, God has told me now is the time to share. 

I have never shared my story because I am so humbled by God’s faithfulness and His love for me.    I would never want any praise to come my way, but all glory and honor to go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has loved me and protected me through good times and bad.  What most people don’t know about me is that I grew up a painfully shy and insecure little girl.  I would rather have taken a beating than have to speak to anyone, not just strangers, but anyone.  My parents’ way of protecting me was to be extremely strict.  As a teenager, I was not allowed to participate in any after school activities.  I was not allowed to attend any social events including the proms.  We lived on a farm so there were no neighbors to visit.  My life consisted of getting on the school bus in the morning and riding the bus home in the afternoon.  I was taken to church every Sunday, but not allowed to participate in any social activities outside of the regularly scheduled church services.  With all of this, you might think that I would have bitter feelings toward my parents, but I don’t.  I know they loved me and I think they raised me the way they thought best and they were God fearing parents who made sure I was in church every Sunday.  And Sunday School was where I met my Jesus, so I am very thankful that they took me every Sunday. 

During my strict upbringing, I was not allowed to date.  I met Gary after I left home to go to college.  He was the first and only boy I ever dated.  We married four months after we met and still a very shy young lady, I began a new chapter in my life as Gary’s wife.  For the next 37 years, I was the devoted help mate to Gary.  I loved more than anything being Gary’s wife.  He was the shoulder to cry on, the encouraging hug, the first smile of the morning, and the last kiss at night.  He was my everything. 

And then one day, suddenly, without warning, my everything was gone.  I found myself stepping into another chapter of my life.  And this was one that was not supposed to happen to me.  Now I was a widow and I would somehow have to find my way without my buddy.  This is probably a good time to tell you that I have left out a lot of detail of my life.  At the age of 18, in a Baptist church in Denton, Texas, I felt the call of God on my life.  I remember that day as if it were yesterday.  I didn’t know what God wanted me to do, but I felt he had a special place for me.  Well, time went on and I never seemed to find that special place.  But, that commitment I had made to God that Sunday in Denton never left my mind.  Oh, I have worked in my church all of my adult life, but I never seem to find that special place.  And then one day, if was as if God smiled down on me and said “ I have been training you for 39 years.  Now, go do your job.”   I cannot explain it, but the day my husband died, I knew there was a reason for his death. 

Through a series of events, I found that reason a year later.  Shortly after Gary’s death, I heard the statement from our pulpit “The life you dreamed of may not be the life that brings God the most glory”.   The life I was now living was certainly not what I had dreamed of.  But, along with that statement, I still remembered that commitment of so many years ago.  As a new widow, I struggled  to deal with everyday issues.  I became aware that there was not a widow’s support group in our church and I knew that other women needed that support as much as I did.  I then began The Journey Girls and it was like I instantly knew why I had experienced the various events in my life.  Every step of the way, God was preparing me to lead the widow’s ministry.  This may not seem like an important ministry to some, but ask my Journey Girls and I think you will get a different answer.  I now have the unique opportunity of showing ladies how God loves us wherever we are and how we can praise God in all situations.  He is the One who gets me out of bed each day, takes me by the hand, and says “Come on Jo Ann.  You and I and going through this day together.”  And at the end of the day, I can praise my King for another day to serve Him.

 My testimony is that when you step out to serve God, He is faithful.  And even though it took 39 years to find my place of service, He was always there preparing me.  He took me from being the shy, timid little girl to the halls of Congress.  I am so humbled to say that He has chosen me for a special job and I am so blessed to has found that job.    

Jo Ann Tilton