There is power in testimony, the power of God to knock on someone's heart to cause them to think, "If He would do that for them, then maybe He would do that for me." The truth is He would do that for anyone but it's always good to share with others the struggles you've overcome, the obstacles you've faced and the journey that has brought you to the person you are today.
There was a time when I thought my testimony was getting stale and I was a waitress and I love sharing my testimony because God has brought me a long way and I know it was God because no one else could save me. I shared this with a friend and they told me not to worry about it and that over time it would change and transform and grow into something different and it has.
My friend Jessica Nordquist asked me to come to her single lady's group one night to give my testimony and I thought I was going to say one thing, but when I got there God had me tell them stories I normally wouldn't have told and in each story He showed them where He protected my life time and time again, in a place where life had no value.
Life happens, people go through things. There are people in your life right now that have gone through incredible odds and you don't even know it! I have friends who aren't open about having been addicts and I'm their sounding block, I speak for alot of people when I speak on addiction.
People think because I am so open and transparent about my life that I tell all, but I have kept safe the secrets of many over the years and would never ever betray that trust.
My husband used to tell me, "You can't tell everybody!" I totally disagree, I can tell anybody God prompts me to tell and it's never been my dirty little secret the way it is still his. I tell it! That's why God saved me, because He knew if anyone was going to shout it from the roof tops it was going to be me! It comes natural to me to share it, its a part of who I am and who I am becoming.
The suggestion to do a book came from Caryl Lawson, but I actually think it was God talking through her about it, because she already has so much on her plate and I'm not sure she knew I was a writer when she mentioned it. She is a wonderful photographer, has a young teenage son and twin daughters, she sings, does all sorts of things, so she doesn't have the same kind of down time I do. It first started that we would do the testimony of just the ladies at Grace Life and I still totally plan to do that, but I want to do the ones of as many people who will volunteer them.
Please ask everyone you know to participate in this, it's going to be huge!
Even though I will or might know who you are if you like you can change names, make up names, protect other people's identities and I would prefer that you do that so we can avoid having to do all kinds of silly permission slips so I can use the material. It will be understood and agreed upon that I have permission to use it when you submit it to me.
Your story can be as short or as long as you like, it can be about anything, because we've all been through something and what I've been through isn't necessarily what someone else has been through and with enough people participating it could turn into more than one book.
I don't care about money I just like my stuff being out there, but if it does happen that some money is made from the project, trust that I will be wise with where it should be sent to be a blessing, I'll throw a party, I'll donate it to an animal shelter, I'll bless the church with it, who knows? We'll wait and see what God tells me to do with it if there is any at all, I just love holding that book, with my name of the cover, with all the words I love that were so carefully thought out and said on the inside. I didn't make any money off my first two books, but I still don't care and I never will, I just love to write and when the bug bites me it's on!
I want to thank everyone in advance and tell you how excited I am about this project! It's going to be amazing! It's something God wants me to do so its going to be huge!
You can submit all stories to nannysparky20@gmail.com. You are the only people who have this address so I won't have the worry of accidentally deleting anything due to junk mail. If you prefer to write them by hand you can mail them to me at 221 N Eastern Blvd Montgomery AL 36117.
I urge you to participate, there's healing in telling.
I love you all so much, let's do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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