My testimony. My story part one.

Let me begin with introducing myself through my testimony. First, if you have a minute pauseand let’s take some time to pray to God before we continue. Go to Him in prayer. If this helps, speak with Him as if you are meeting with a friend you have not seen in awhile. This is just a way that I like to look at prayer. So, take a minute to let go of anything that may be burdening you lately. I will pray all is well with you. If you want me to be honest, I could use some courage as I post my testimony. Some of this is really hard for me to talk about but I am taking my vows and becoming a member of my church. I guess getting this out online is easier than in person, in front of I’m not sure how many people. Okay now that my ranting is over.

Hi, my name is Shawna. I am fairly new to studying my Bible (not to Christianity). I thought what better way to continue is to invite you along with me, but first, I would like to share my testimony with you. I got this idea from a friend at church that I met during a silence and solitude Saturday. Yes, Silence and Solitude at church, God knew what he was doing. Let me take you back to the beginning of my story, so that you may understand my journey.

It begins when I am nine months old. I know, you are probably thinking how could this begin when she is nine months old? There is no way this woman remembers when she was nine months old. Well, yes, you would be correct. However, it is something that is significant to my journey home to Christ. So, when I was nine months old I was left alone in my walker next to the stove. My birth mother was boiling water so that she could make me a bottle. She must have stepped out to use the restroom. I am still not entirely sure where she went. Unfortunatly, I reached up and pulled the pot down onto my head.

My sister who was four years old at the time ran to get help. She can tell her side of the story much better than I can. She has helped to fill in the blanks that others would not. My birth mother was able to take me to Greenville Memorial Hospital where I was put on a medical flight to the Augusta Burn center.

While I have no memory of what it was like to be treated for the third degree burns on my head, chest, and arms, I do however, remember what it was like to be bullied all of my life. Kids would go on to call me ugly, scarface, and baldy. I still have bald spots on my head where hair was never permitted to grow back due to how badly I was burned. I am fortunate enough to be able to hide it with the hair that did grow back. Sometimes if I am not careful it doesn’t get covered up. My least favorite is the scar that is visible on my chest. Skin from my leg had to be grafted over my chest to save my life. Because the skin came from my leg I have to shave the hair that grows there. I have a hard time wearing low cut shirts because a boy in high thought that it was gross and told me I needed to cover it up for good. I am still self conscious of it today. I got tired of people pointing out my scars, and no one cared for an explination, so I just started to tell them that its just a birthmark.

I am telling my story in hopes of reaching someone who is a little like me and probably needs to hear it. I never understood why God allowed all of this to happen. Allowed all of the bullying. All of the pain. At least, I wouldn’t understand until much later on in my life. Which you will see as my story unfolds.

In closing I pray that my story will begin to bring you hope. Just know that no matter what storm you may be going through right now, or how many times you have messed up, Jesus loves us unconditionally. Even, if you are a non-believer, I pray that you may walk away witha feeling of love and hope. I never gave up. Even though I was bullied. God uses us in ways that we will never fully understanduntil He is ready to reveal it to us. Which means we have to be ready and willing to answer His call. Praising Him even through the storm. Hold onto His ever-lasting love. “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalms 131:1. So, even though we face many trials, it is because we area made in His image that we can endure whatever comes our way. He is our shepherd and He will always guide us home no matter how far we stray. “May the Lord bless you, and keep you; May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26. Shalom.