LIFE STORIES
MARIE'S STORY
A NEW DAY
by Marie Morgans"I was depressed. My husband was depressed. The whole household was depressed."
We couldn’t pay the rent, the cupboards were bare, and buying Christmas gifts was out of the question. I asked myself, “What is wrong with me?” and heard an inner voice respond with a list of my shortcomings and failures.
As a woman, especially as a mom, I think I have to fix everything. Not only that, I think that I can fix everything. I was working a good job, had a good marriage to Tom, and the kids were well adjusted. But I couldn’t meet the expectations I placed on myself. I felt like a complete failure.
CRYING MYSELF TO WORK
Ten days before Christmas, I cried myself to work. That day, I volunteered to work the banquet service for the monthly meeting of the local Christian Womens Club. The speaker, Pat, talked about her life. Mostly what caught my attention was that she said she would call on God when there was an emergency in her life or when she was in a hopeless situation. Wow, I thought, that’s what I do. I call on God when I need help.
Pat talked about a different way to live. She told how she now had a day-by-day relationship with God through His Son Jesus Christ. When she offered to pray with us to begin that relationship, I bowed my head and prayed with her.
I had been raised in a church and had been involved in religious activities off and on. But I had only given lip service to God about the sin in my life and about His mercy and forgiveness. Until I submitted my faults, mistakes, and shortcomings to God and asked for forgiveness with an understanding of what Jesus did for me, I could not enter a lasting relationship with Him.
On that day, December 15, while at work, I settled it all with God. I prayed with Pat and invited Jesus to enter my life and take the driver’s seat. An amazing peace came over me immediately. I realized I could turn all my anxieties over to God and that He was powerful enough to handle them. The depression lifted. It was incredible.
PEACE AT LAST
Since that time, things in my life have gotten much better. We got help with our rent, a family member brought us bags of food from the grocery store, and we were able to have a happy Christmas.
Now, I have a new job and I’ve learned that Jesus can help me with any situation. At work, I consciously decided to love everyone there and not indulge in cliques and in gossip. Each night before I tuck her in, I read a Bible story with my daughter. Even my husband has noticed a difference. He told me one day he was “flabbergasted” with the change in my life. I asked him what he meant and he said, “You seem so peaceful now.”
God has given me a peace. Each day is like a breath of fresh air—it’s a new day every day now. Recently, I was waiting for a friend at lunch and I found myself writing a letter to God thanking Him for all His blessings and rejoicing in His gifts. I would have never done that before and am so thankful for the change God has made in my life here in Oregon—and in my life for eternity.
Do you feel overwhelmed by the daily challenges you face? Do you suffer depression or anxiety like I did? You can start fresh today by inviting God to forgive your sins and enter your life. He is understanding enough to handle whoever you are and strong enough to remake you into a new person. Just go to Him in prayer today.
“Dear God, Thank You for Your power and strength. Thank You for Your understanding and Your desire to help me. I give You my life right now. I ask that, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, Your Son, You would forgive my sins and allow me to be made new. Thank You for Your patience with me and for forgiving me. I look forward to growing in my relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”
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