God gives all of us many experiences in our lives that help define us.  As I look back over my life I have experienced emotional abuse from my Dad, a sexual assault
at my work place and two divorces.  Through all those seasons of my life God always gave me the freedom of choice.  I could choose to open my heart to Him or
stay the status quo.  I believed I was being strong and independent.  What I didn’t understand or what I wasn’t willing to do was- give up and turn completely and
fully to God.
Praise God that He forgives and never left my side.  God kept gently tapping on my shoulder until I was ready to fully accept him in my life.  All I had to do was
the most simple thing in the world; (once I did it), turn my life over to the pure love of God.  This quote from Job 23:10 is a reminder to me of God’s promise,
“But, he knows the way I take, when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
This year God called me on a church sponsored mission trip to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic (DR) and my life changed forever.  I saw and felt God’s presence in the missionaries who mentor, love me and accept me as I am.  In our Dominican interpreter who encourages and guides my faith.  In the Dominican pastors and their congregations
where I join them in raising our hearts and hands to the song of the Holy Spirit.  I see their deep faith and their love of the Lord.  As I look into their eyes I see the Holy
Spirit ministering through them.  By sending me to the “DR” God pushed me out of my comfort zone.  God may also be trying to move you out of the safety you have
built around yourself.  God’s call will require a change in your life.  God’s redemptive plan has caused my old life to die and I have been given a re-birth where I have been created anew.
The reward for obedience to God’s plan is so much more wonderful than staying stuck where you are at.  When we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus,
we become more fully aware of the richness of God and we no longer face life alone.  A quote from Hebrews 4:16 reads, “Let us therefore come boldly to the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in times of need.”
God has given me strength and taken away my sadness.  Now the only tears I shed are those of joy.  I am so blessed to call the Dominican people my friends.
The woman who traveled to the DR left with a deeper character, faith and hope for future.  I know without a doubt God is working on my behalf and I am
filled with joy.
I pray you find your own experience that leads you closer to God.  That the enemy loosens his hold over you and you allow the light of Christ to grow in your heart.
I pray that God fills you with good works and love.  In John 8:12, it is so beautifully stated, “I am the light of the world.  He who follows ME shall not walk in
darkness but have the light of life.”
I worship with my church family in the US and in spirit with my DR family until I return.  I thank God for ALL my blessings.  Please join me in praising and worshiping the
Lord for HE is truly the Way, the Truth and the Light.
So my friends let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the darkness.
“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.”  Eph 6:24
Amen
Linda Hayes: Linda lives in Jackson Michigan.  She worked as a teacher and administrator and is retired from State government.  Her hobbies are gardening, quilting and traveling.  Her passion is following the Lord,  received her Bachelors degree from the University of Michigan in Education with a Masters degree in Guidance and Counseling.