The main reason I love lighthouses is they are a guide to safety in the darkest of nights. That’s what Jesus Christ has been for me; he pulled me out of the deepest, darkest pit and set my feet in a spacious place (Psalm 31:7-8) where the light of His mercy and grace could shine.
I was raised in the church; I came to salvation when I was 9 years old, however, in my teen years life took a downward spiral that would last until my mid-30’s. During that time I would get married, have 3 children; do all the right things at church, always look like I had it together; but I was leading a double life and nobody knew; except God. I always knew there was “something wrong” with me, but did not have a clue what it was; you would think the self-destructive behavior would be the big red flag; but I was in so much denial I couldn’t see the truth. When I finally hit the wall of my own shame, guilt and sin I was done playing the game, tired of making all the wrong choices, and afraid I was going to lose my family if I didn’t get help. Through professional, Godly counseling I started “remembering” my past and the missing pieces to the puzzle of my life fell into place. I didn’t have to play the game anymore, I could finally be who God created me to be; ME! That was in 1996.
I believe in miracles because I am a living miracle; my heart was healed, my marriage restored and a Christ-centered family re-born. I am in no way, shape or form, perfect; I still have “stuff” in my life that is hard and things that I struggle with, but I know where to turn, where to lean and sometimes, where to fall; into the arms of my Heavenly Father.
Joni's Story
