My Jesus Story

My Jesus Story

By Heather Bradley
Excel Baptist Church

I treasure the black rock with small holes given to me. It is a beautiful picture of my own heart, which has many holes, but those holes have a Healer. As I lay each void of brokenness before Jesus, He heals the void. When I allow Jesus’ Holy Spirit to enter my brokenness, He heals each scar of my past. He allows me to grow in His truth and love.

I didn’t understand this truth and love until I was married and pregnant with my second child.

My childhood was difficult. I do not know my father, my mother was unable to care for me, my adoptive mother and father struggled with alcoholism and the second husband of my adoptive mother physically abused me at 16. When I was 18, I met my husband, Duke. I noticed something different about his family. They were peaceful, kind and loving.

They were Christians.

After Duke and I were married we started attending a local church. Soon we started having children. I took my daughter to Vacation Bible School. As she learned Bible stories, I would listen carefully to the stories. After hearing Bible stories and other people’s testimonies, I realized something was missing in my life.

I told my husband that I felt like there was a hole in my heart. He simply replied, “You need Jesus.” I had no idea what that actually meant. After attending church and group Bible studies I learned that God created me. God loved me. He loved me so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for me. I thought, “Who would do that and why?”

When I was pregnant with my second child, I started to understand what all that meant. I asked Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior.

I was very emotional the day I was baptized. My adoptive parents attended church that day even though they had never attended church before.

Since Jesus came into my life, I am a new creation. He loves me. He has forgiven me of my past wrongs. He has guided and directed me in forgiveness of others who wronged me.

While my life is not perfect, I meet with my Lord each morning at the kitchen table over a cup of coffee. We discuss the issues of life. He guides me. He protects me and gives me peace within all circumstances. My prayer is that He can shine through my brokenness so that others see His love, peace and redemption.