Testimony of T. Hope Walthall
As a child my family went to church, yet I don’t remember much of the teachings, I just remember going. When I was in middle school my mom and dad finally separated after 21 years of marriage. Before middle school I don’t really remember my dad being there anyway, I remember him being around while we were eating and hearing him yelling. From a young age I felt something missing, so I started seeking out male attention.
2006 I met a guy, got pregnant, out of wedlock. In May 2006, 5 weeks after our daughter was born, her dad was shot and killed. Drugs were found in the house, leaving my daughter fatherless and with a mother that had pending federal drug charges. In those times I questioned God…why?! How could you let this happen?!
May 2007 I met Phil we started a turbulent relationship, on again off again. Sex before marriage lead to Raelyn, our daughter yet the Lord used our screw up as a blessing. Now we’re married with two girls who are God’s children. The Lord has provided a Christian family for us, a home, all of our needs, and even blesses us with our wants.
Finally I realize just how often throughout my life that the Lord has protected me. Its funny how in the situation you believe that YOU were doing the work and didn’t know then that the Lord was carrying you through all the crap you had created. Amazing how his love is present for us even when we aren’t willing to admit it or receive it, praise God for his grace and mercy. The fact that Lord loves even me, a person as evil as me, is utterly amazing to me.
A little over 2 years ago I “believed in” God but didn’t believe on God. One of those things you don’t see until it’s pointed out to you. Now I know the Lord will work through me and for me despite me if I’m walking in Him.
Looking back on the past couple of years I can see God’s hand in my life. Here I was with drug charges, yet through my fear, doubting and unbelief the Lord still delivered me, when I finally decided to give it to Him. July 2009 after almost 3 and a half years of waiting for something, ANYTHING to happen I went to court for the charges expecting to receive 1 year probation but nope, God was true and soften the judges heart so much that I received 6 months good behavior . After 6 months my record was cleared, PRAISE GOD!
I stand in awe daily as I look around me and see just how mightily the Lord has blessed my family and me. It’s only by God’s grace that I wake up every day and am able to serve him.