Barefoot Devotions

Guest Post: Surrendering to God

Hey, Y’all! Thanks for stopping by. I have a special guest post by a dear friend of mine. She does not know this but she made an impact on my life when we first met back in November 2013. I witnessed her faith and wondered what in the world was this girl into and how do I get it? If God could work in her, maybe He could work in me too. Her story is powerful. She is real and I know you will be blessed to read a part of her story.

Without any more of my rambling, here ya go:


Hello, my name is Jessica. I was recently asked by Hannah to share a testimony that others could relate to and show how the Lord’s forgiveness, grace, and mercy has saved me. At first, I was hesitant, I prayed and thought about it. I really was not sure that I wanted to share publicly about my past. The Lord began to speak to me and said, don’t be selfish, you will help others with your testimony. Rev.12:11 “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” NIV So I pray that with me sharing a part of my past and testimony it will help and be an encouragement to at least one other person who feels as lost as I did!

From a young age, I was raised in church, taught right from wrong, and was a pretty well-behaved child. As I got older, like many others, I strayed from church and the Lord. Towards the end of my senior year is when I really let loose. I began to drink, it got to the point that it was all I wanted. I went to bed drinking and woke up drinking. My mom wanted me to get help. I started smoking weed, I did that for a summer. I had to be at every party, the life of the party, every day of the week if there was one. I even spent a night in jail for it. The WORST thing ever! Many times I did not know how I made it home safely. I had a sailors mouth, MF’er was my favorite word. I was mean, just mean. I was very blunt and outspoken, I didn’t care what I said or who I said it to. I was Jessica and I could do and say whatever I wanted and no one could do anything about it. I was known as a B****. And I loved it, for whatever reason.

In my twenties, I moved away, started college, and lived in fornication for years. I was nowhere near perfect and honestly felt like I was so far from the Lord that I was too scared to try to go back, how could He love me after all I had done. I knew that it was wrong, but I still chose to do it. Why would He love me? I started going back to church on and off, but I was still not at peace. I felt so stuck and hopeless. I wasn’t fully giving my heart and burdens to the Lord. Finally, one day I just decided to rededicate my life to the Lord and there was no looking back. I could not do it anymore. I couldn’t live by Jessica’s rules anymore. I was so unhappy and lost. I had to return home and to my Father’s love. The Lord welcomed me with open arms and accepted me as I was and the mess that I was in. Joel 2:13 “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. KJV

Joel 2_13 _And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God_ for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. KJV

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. NIV

Isaiah

I just want to say that if you feel like you are too far gone to be helped or that there is no God at all, I am praying that you have that life-changing encounter with Him! The one that shows and proves that He is real and has never left you and never will! That you feel His presence and His love like never before. I pray that He wraps His arms around you and surrounds you with a sweet song and a tender kiss. God loves you too, just as much as He loves me! You are His child, He can’t deny you! He is waiting for you to come home! If He can do a work and change in me, He can do it in you! I have often encouraged others to do the wrong things before and now I want to encourage them to do the right thing, the best decision you could ever make. Let God take the lead. Give it all to Him. There is nothing too big or small for Him. Let him be your Lord and savior!

Jessica B.


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Jessica is originally from a small town in Virginia and currently living in Georgia. She is very laid back and quiet most of the time. She enjoys to hike, the outdoors, and staying active. Spending time with family is a priority to her. She has a furbaby named Kirra, the queen and boss of the house! She loves to serve and help others and be an encourager whenever she can. She leads the singles small group at her church and serves in Family Promise and wherever else she is needed! She has a desire to be His hands and feet whenever possible!

Leave Jessica some love in the comments! If you were touched by this post, be sure to share on all of your social media feeds so we can reach others. 

Do you have a powerful story to tell? Let me know! We are looking for more stories from real people to show how powerful God is when we allow Him to work in us and fully surrender to Him.  

Seeking

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