Hello. My name is Julie Walker. I’ve
been coming to Crosspoint for over a year now after being invited by
my son and daughter-in-law. After being at another church for over
20 years, it was a hard decision to make, but I believe it was the
right one. I would like to share my testimony with you.
I was raised going to church up until
my pre-teen years when my family gradually just dropped out of going.
I think that it partly had to do with work schedules, and then it
just got easier not to go. During my high school years I became a
bit rebellious and sought peer acceptance above all other
relationships. Looking back and knowing what I know now, I was not
really abnormal in my overwhelming focus on acceptance and peers. It
is a pretty normal adolescent condition. Be that as it may, I made
some wrong choices. But as you will see, God turned them into the
greatest joy imaginable.
I was married at a young age and was
quickly blessed with two sons. Unfortunately the marriage lasted
only about 8 years and being a single mom was difficult, but I had
great family support. However, it was during the 2nd half
of married life, during the time that I was raising my sons, that
the testimony of how God has lead and brought me through so many
changes becomes really relevant to others, I think.
When the boys were elementary age, I
began homeschooling them. As I look back, I don’t believe it was
the wrong decision for our situation, but there are many decisions
and attitudes that I should have modified. Now that I understand
things a little better, I think that I was still seeking that peer
acceptance during these years. Except now the “peers” were
followers of a system that was pretty legalistic and inflexible.
Therefore, I became extremely legalistic and tried to force my
children into a mold that didn’t fit either them or me! But I was
convinced that this was the right way, and couldn’t even give place
to the reason of my own heart. This made life pretty hard for all of
us, I think, but especially for the boys.
Well, through many trials and
difficulties, mostly of my own making, God brought us through. Once
the kids were grown, they found their own ways to modify their walk
with God into something that was more reasonable, and a fit for them.
I don’t mean that they set the terms on their relationship with
God, only that they were able to shed the legalism and harshness and
come around to a personal (and not an enforced) relationship with
the Lord. It took me a little longer. But eventually, my desire to
continue a positive relationship with them softened me up a bit.
Gradually, the Lord showed me that even though there were
commandments that were absolute and not to be broken without
consequences, other demands that I had been making on myself and my
children were mere preferences and should not interfere with
relationships. And you know what? Once I understood that, I found
that I actually enjoyed relaxing a bit and that my relationship with
God was greatly enhanced by the new sense of f
freedom that He always
intended for us.
I have purposely left out the specifics
of the legalistic ways that have been shed. That is because what is
a point of conscience with some is a point of preference with others.
Only God can lead in those areas. On the other hand, he gives us
clear direction on how a Christian is to live. To thwart his direct
commands is wrong and invites trouble (I have enough trouble without
inviting more). I’m still learning the balance, but I am full of
confidence that God will lead me into all truth in spite of myself.
And that gives me unending hope!
God bless all of you ladies at CPC!
Julie
