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We've all heard the story of the prodigal son, well that is pretty much my story.
I was raised in a Godly family, but not a Godly home.
While I never remember my grandparents even talking loud, my parent's went all out.
At times, the hollering turned to combat.

While I had met Jesus as my savior at age 11, I never let Him be Lord until I was nearly 40.
I answered the call to preach in 1992 at the age of 23.
I'll never forget it was the only time my Papaw ever hugged me on his own.
The pride in his face made me swell with joy.
I knew that I had earned the approval of the man who meant the most to me in my earthly life.

But at age 27 I got married and got a new job.
The bad thing was, despite the better pay and such it was a second shift job.
Little by little I started letting go of God's hand.
Solomon said it's the little foxes that spoil the vine, and he is right.

I looked at the job as a blessing from God, but soon I found myself thinking that it was ME who had accomplished
it. That ended in 2001 when the company turned on me.
They eliminated my job, cut my pay 5$ an hour and for two years I wondered how I could make ends meet.
How I could cloth and feed my child on such a meager pay.
Bitter?? OH YOU BET!!!
By this time, I had slipped into disobedience.
But, the worst was yet to be.

In 2003, I found a new job, BUT it was no better for I found myself now working the "graveyard" shift.
It was also this year that I found myself embroiled in a fight at the church.
I went from disobedience to COMPLETE disobedience.
In 4 years, I attended church exactly ONCE.
HOWEVER, I did tell the pastor that I would NOT disrespect him or God's house by showing up only to fall asleep.
I lived a life that would make folks shudder.
I still resisted alcohol and drugs and remained faithful to my wife, but everything else was open to discussion.

I grew to view most everyone as either a hypocrite or a sham.
I saw the evil they did when they thought no one was watching.
You see, sinners are not the only ones who watch us, so do prodigals who want to excuse their actions.

In 2007, God blessed me and I got a dayshift job.
I promised God that if He granted me the job, I would get things straightened out.
Sad part is it took me nearly two years to do so.

Then, this past Christmas season, I was asked to be in the Christmas program at the church.
Imagine my surprise.  I had not been part of the church for 6 YEARS!
Imagine even more my surprise when I said yes.
Those two ladies took a chance on an old backslider not knowing if I'd take a part or if I did if I'd show up.
Oh how I praise God that those folks never gave up on me, and still saw some good in me.

Now, I'm one for the flat truth.  Like it or not, if it hurts it hurts- just let the chips fall where they may.
And being part of a church program, I couldn't take part unless I went through with it and made things right.
Now, I have always had an inkling of somethings that were going to happen.
I've dreamed dreams that came true in every aspect.
And I always felt that if I backslid one more time, there would be no coming back.
Then it happened, backwards I went.

BUT I thank God that what I had believed was a lie.
God NOT only took me back, but He restored me to the place I was when I let go of His hand.
You see, there is a difference between starting over and starting again.
When we start over, we start from the beginning; but when we start again, we pick up where we left off!

Today my life is much changed.
I have joy and peace and am grateful that God grants us second and third chances!

My papaw used to sing a song..........
I traveled on sin's broad road
far away from the blessed abode
and beneath my heavy load, but now I can shout.

For Jesus the savior came when I called on His precious name
He took all my sin and shame and he lifted me out!

I'm glad he lifted me out
1963  W.L. Hopper

AMEN DUKE!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful testimony with us.

I think that most Christians have their hills and valleys in their walk with the LORD, but the LORD is still there with HIS outstretched Hand offering us some help UP.

I love the contrast:  we fail pretty frequently and break our Promises - GOD never fails and never breaks HIS Promises. We should simply give THANKS and know that the only real Peace and Happiness is in CHRIST! HE began a Good Work in us, and HE will complete it - just as HE Promised.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Philippians 1:3-7 ASV  I thank my God upon all my remembrance of you,  4  always in every supplication of mine on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,  5  for your fellowship in furtherance of the gospel from the first day until now;  6  being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Jesus Christ:  7  even as it is right for me to be thus minded on behalf of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as, both in my bonds and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers with me of grace.

thank you B-E-P.

There is so much more I could share.
I am a survivor of abuse of nearly every type- now healed physically and emotionally by God's power
I've seen miracle after miracle.
My wife broke her neck in the same place that Christopher Reeves broke his, partially paralyzed at our local hospital yet the next day she walked out of the trauma center they sent her to with only a soft collar brace on.
I was healed of migraines in my early 20's
Dr after Dr told us there was no way we would ever have children, yet God said you better buy some diapers!  Today, she's 7!! PTL!
God has seen fit to move on the people and bless them while I ,ministered in song and word.

And yet, I walked away from it all.
Told God I wanted nothing to do with Him or His people.

Yet, today, I stand fresh anew and anointed.
It is truly my joy to say that He Lifted Me Out!!  and I praise Him that He saw fit to do so.
Now I can say like the elders, Glory be to the Lamb upon the throne!

\o/            \o/            \o/            \o/             \o/           \o/            \o/

You have a beautiful story and are so brave to share it, I myself am a new member and haven't worked up that courage yet. So I do commend you and you said it perfectly...big difference between start over and start again. I pray that your testimony gives someone else the strength to start over.Amen