Sharon's Testimony

I grew up in the 50’s when life was a bit slower. Family relationships and ties were important, extended families lived with you, neighbors helped neighbors, neighborhoods were safe, values and morals were upheld and Sunday was the time for church and family. No malls existed and no stores were open on Sunday. Sunday dinner was a regular happening which everyone attended and everyone looked forward to. Families really did live like the TV family on Leave it to Beaver. Summers were spent with my grandparents in New Jersey who owned a cottage on the lake.

I can not remember a time when I didn’t believe in God. Some aspect of religion was always present in my home. My parents were involved in many areas of our church. Luther League, committees, church functions. For reasons unknown to me, when I was a teenager they suddenly stopped attending church. Although my grandmothers never went to church, they were daily reminders of prayer and faith, praying and praising the Lord openly. Years later, they taught me what it meant to forgive. My one grandmother had dealt with infidelity early in her marriage and the other with separation of a loved one in Germany and yet she never showed any bitterness or anger. My grandfather never expressed any Christian beliefs or showed any interest. He was however, an avid admirer and observer of nature and his surroundings. From him, I acquired that love of the outdoors and have always been in awe of its beauty and the changing seasons. It was always obvious to me that it wasn’t built in a day, let alone seven. God was “BIG.”

For me, as a child, there was a mystery attached to religion. It seemed to me, that for every mother and father, this mystery somehow created a parent’s dream. A “built in babysitter” or “watcher.” It dictated what you did and how you acted and the Golden Rule was something you lived by. God was a protective and loving shield.

Sunday school at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Delaware County was held downstairs (much like our Luther Hall) at the same time as Sunday worship service. At the end of Sunday school, all the kids eagerly would wait for their parents to pick them up behind these huge red arched wooden doors, with small stained glass windows that were encased with forged black iron and large circle door knobs. I remember watching the big red doors open and I can still see the smiling faces of my Mom and Dad and their outstretched arms to me.

The sad thing about it all, is that it is probably the most vivid and memorable moment that I have about church and attending Sunday school. Most of the time I was a silent observer, but I do remember the stories of Noah, Moses, Jesus, the Bible, the Ten Commandments, church celebrations, all the basics etc. Going through confirmation classes at the age of 11 and 12 was extremely intimidating because of my age. Most of the kids were teenagers ranging from 13-16. I can’t say I was an active participant. Actually it was pretty scary. If anything, confirmation classes produced a fear, instead of a joyful eager spirit and a willingness to continue to seek the Lord.

That joy came to me while attending Vacation Bible School at a local Presbyterian Church. It is no longer a Presbyterian Church but a Church of Christ, a non-denominational New Testament church seeking the Lord through His Word, His Spirit, and active fellowship. My neighbor and best friend, Sally Smith, invited me when I was 6. I can remember having so much fun. The crafts, the singing, snacks, activities and the Irish pastor of the church always had me eager to get up early in the summer for 2 weeks. The pastor was kind, caring and loving. His Irish accent always had me laughing. He loved every child and became totally immersed in every activity with the children. Being very animated, much like Jim, his sermons were fun and entertaining but the message was always the same….Jesus loves you and how important we are. LOVE. That’s what I remember most.

I continued to attend VBS at that church for two years with Sally, until she moved away. Despite her absence, I didn’t hesitate to jump on my bike and go. In fact, I continued for the next 6 years. At the age of 14, I became a VBS assistant helping the teachers with supplies, crafts, papers, preparing and distributing juice and pretzels and helping the pastor.

In the closing ceremonies, holding a banner, I led the children into the hall as the piano played “Onward Christian Soldiers.” What joy I felt!! Perhaps it was the pageantry of the occasion. No, that wasn’t it for me. I felt loved by the Lord and joyful to be part of his army. All the fear from previous years and uncomfortable moments just drained from my thoughts. My heart was filled with joy and love and there was “a warmth” that I hadn’t felt before. I remember Jim asking me, “What was it like?” I told him that it was “Indescribable.” But the truth is that I didn’t know him well enough to simply say “Joyful.” He may have looked at me funny.

When I could, I continued to go to either Sunday school or to Church Service at my own church until I was married. At the time, the church was going through a transitional phase. There was the search for a new pastor, pledging and just a lot of politics. I wasn’t interested in those things and I would just focus on the lesson for the day. Unfortunately, life happened after that and like others, I allowed the path to the Lord to wander off in many different directions. But as the saying goes, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” Perhaps he was just watching me wander aimlessly and watching the stability and joy that I had, slip away. In his wisdom, he brought me to Centennial.

When my oldest daughter Teresa was six and I was pregnant with my second daughter Linda, I enrolled Teresa in Vacation Bible School. She had a great time and I once again, felt the joy of the Lord surrounding me. The people were so kind and Jim was just as funny as the Irish pastor. I immediately went home to Vince and told him that I wanted to join this church and also bring Teresa. I wanted that stability, that constant in my life as well as for my daughters.

At the time, Vince was Catholic and Teresa had been baptized Catholic. We had agreed that he would instruct them in their religious upbringing. I thought that I was in for a heated discussion when I told him about joining Centennial. But much to my surprise he thought we should go, and we should go as a family. Well, the rest is history. But how phenomenal is it, that once again, VBS led me to the Lord. Also, the song “Onward Christian Soldiers” has a very special place in my heart and the people and places associated with it. BUT, that’s another story of inspiration.

There are many areas of my spiritual life that I am still working on. I have been blessed to have people in my life that have helped me with my spiritual journey and continue to provide the guidance that I need to keep me on the Lord’s path and to continue to grow in Christ. There are also many individuals who have inspired me to grow and to be a part of the church community and for that I am grateful. I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter what path you take to God, just take it!!!

I do know that Jesus is in my life, in my heart and he continues to bless my life and my family, providing for all our needs. He has revealed himself to me in many ways. The Holy Spirit continues to guide me, change me, inspire me, move me and encourage me to go outside of my comfort zone. I, for one, am an eager, joyful recipient.

 How about you? Do you have a testimony of turning your life over to Christ, or a witness story about how God increased your faith?  Put it in Patty’s narthex mailbox or e mail to: pattykissinger@centenniallutheran.org

Note:  Have you just read this testimony and want to respond to the author – send me your reply and I’ll see that they get it!  Blessings, Patty