Below are stories from the Harvest community about how God has impacted and changed their lives.
Our daughter’s journey to her forever home has been a long one, with many twists and turns and hard places along the way. Her start to life was not easy, but God has mingled her story with ours, so this is our God Story.
God put adoption on our hearts many years ago, early on in our marriage. Learning that there were 30,000 kids in foster care in Canada waiting for families to adopt them, we knew that we were called to be a forever home for one or more of those precious children. So we asked God how He wanted us to be part of that solution. He worked in our lives through many people, including several at HHAC, to meet our daughter when she was three-and-a-half years old. But that was only the start of the journey!
God taught us many things along the way – patience, understanding, how to handle stress, how to lean on Him when facing the unknown, among others – all things we’d need through the adoption and parenting process.
Our daughter did not actually become adoptable through Child and Family Services for another whole year! There were many meetings with social workers, teachers, therapists, and foster parents, never knowing for sure that she would ever become adoptable as social workers continued to search for next of kin to care for her.
But we knew that God had allowed us to meet this special little girl for a reason. So we were patient, seeing her every other weekend for that year, saying many tearful goodbyes over that time. But our faith and patience was rewarded with joy when at last she was placed in our home permanently. Again, this was only the beginning of the journey! We rely on our Father daily to be the parents He wants us to be: patient, kind, consistent, godly, wise, and fun! Without our faith, this journey would have been too much for us. Without a church family surrounding us and holding us up in prayer, this journey would have been too much for us. About a year after coming “home”, our daughter accepted Christ and she continues to grow in her faith….and so do we.
– Andrew & Carolyn
I accepted Christ as my personal Savior at a very young age, but I was only walking with God when it was convenient for me. I was enjoying the pleasures of this world, while professing to be a “Christian.” I’m not proud to say I continued this lifestyle for many years, but it wasn’t without consequences. Living this was not God’s will for my life.
Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
Well, in October 2005 my husband and I hosted a Purpose Drive Life class in our home. Only then, after all those years, did I realise God put me here for a specific purpose—not just to do my own thing, pleasing myself. I realized that only by the grace of God did I survive the many tragedies in my life (suicide attempt being one). God wants me to serve Him and be a witness to further His kingdom.
I finally understood why Jesus died on the cross. He carried the weight of the world’s sin on His shoulders. He did this for me (and you), He loves me this much!
The scales were removed from my eyes. Thanks to Jesus, “I was blind, but now I see.” I FINALLY GOT IT!
In February 2006, I had another wake-up call. I was diagnosed with the big “C”. Cancer.
I was in shock this happens to others, not me!
I believe God allows us to go through trials and suffering to bring us closer to Him and strengthen our faith. Psalm 119:67,71 says,
Before I was afflicted, I went astray,
But now I obey Your Word,
It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn decrees, your decrees.
God wants us to trust Him in all things. He gave me a “peace that passes all understanding” and gave me the strength and courage to endure five weeks of aggressive chemotherapy and radiation, as he whispered, “Trust me, trust me.”
I was at the lowest point in my life when God showed me these verses in Psalm 40:1-3:
I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me
And heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
My cancer experience has caused me to reflect on life’s priorities, and the beauty and miracles of God’s creation. I’ve had many people praying for me, which I’, very thankful. But most of all, I thank God for all He’s done, never letting go of my hand (Hebrews 13:5). He will never leave me (or you!) nor forsake you.
I’ve been cancer-free for 15 years. My time with cancer wasn’t the easiest time in my life, but it was the most satisfying and rewarding. I wouldn’t change the walk with Jesus I’ve gained through cancer for anything. My cancer journey strengthened my faith and reminded me that I serve an awesome God who not only save, but a God who heals!
I continue to seek God’s will for my daily life. I’m so thankful my name is written in the “Lamb’s book of life.”
Giving God all the glory and honor,
– Darlene
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