About

My Baptism Testimony

 

Although I believed in Jesus Christ at an early age I really never understood the role He would play in my life, until now. I was one of eleven children who grew up in a broken home. Both of my parents suffered from alcoholism which led to personal and financial struggles. 

I lived in an unhealthy environment that left me feeling vulnerable, fearful, and insecure. As a young child, my parents divorced, and shortly after we moved. This lead to a greater separation from my father.

It didn’t take long for me to realize that my mother was broken, and hurting. Despite her obvious love for me, I was often left alone. As my fears grew, so did my nightmares. When I had no one to turn to, Jesus was there.

Later as a teen, my father died from a massive heart attack. Although I rarely saw or spoke to him, I felt the pain of separation once again. Two months later, the most devasting news hit me like a ton of bricks. My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer.

I would go to school during the day, if I could,  and care for her at night. I remember watching her as she slept, paying close attention to the rising and falling of her chest. I was so relieved to see her breathing. The thought of losing my mother was more than I could bear, and in fact, I tried to bury my head from the reality that she would soon leave me. The funny thing about reality is you can’t run, hide, or ignore it, no matter how hard you try. My soul awoke to the echos of a deep bellow that shook to my deepest core. I knew my mother was going to die. Despite feeling crushed, and alone, Jesus was still there.

The love of Jesus appeared through a local pastor, who prayed for my mother while she accepted Him and His forgiveness through God’s grace.  This brought her to a place of much-needed peace and allowed her to let go. She left this world, but I knew she left in His arms. I was sad but relieved for her, not only was her body at rest but her soul as well. Jesus was there.

Having lost both parents within a year I was left without knowing what to think or even how to feel. All I knew, was that once again I was lost and alone. There was no glimpse of light, nor was there anything that could comfort me. This is where numbness settled in as if my own heart stopped beating. Although I was hovering at my lowest point,  Jesus was still there.

The realization that my mother was now at peace did offer me some comfort. However, I was still having a difficult time coping with her loss. I was depressed feeling more alone and insecure than ever. I was not angry with God though. How could I be, when I saw how He took care of her at the end of her life. Anger was not what I felt at this point, death was not the cause of my pain. It was life, life in the dark, filled with loss, and loneliness, this was the cause of my pain. I was so desperate that I asked God to take me as well. Life was not worth living, and the pain was more than I could bear. But again, Jesus was there.

He was reassuring me that one day I would have the family that I had always desired. What was lost would be found. This gave me the hope I needed at this time to go on. I came to know later that God was revealing more. I already belonged to a family that would never leave me, and I was not alone. Jesus was there.

I found the life I had always wanted. I graduated from college, got married, and started a family. I was living a safe life and had finally distanced myself from my past pains and loneliness. I absolutely loved being a mother and thought I was finally in control. I lived well, did the right things, and avoided the wrong things, or so I thought.

Over time my marriage fell apart, I found myself divorced and feeling alone again. This time I was in control, and it was my choices that lead me there. Alcohol and poor financial decisions were starting to consume my life. How could I repeat that which hurt me so deep as a child? The thought of putting my own children through the same experiences I had as a child was overwhelming to me. My love for them was not enough to protect them from my brokenness. At this moment I understood my mother like never before. I fell to my knees and cried out to Jesus for help. I was unworthy and unlovable, but once again, Jesus was there.

That day, in total surrender, I gave my life to Jesus. It was there that I learned that His love did not depend on me, or where I came from, but it is who He is. I was accepted, loved, and called His. I was home! In the arms of Jesus!

Since then Jesus has moved mountains. He has healed my broken heart, redeemed my soul, and shown me that a close personal relationship with him is all I truly need. He knows my desires for family and has restored mine. He brought me new life and a second chance at marriage. He redeemed my family and multiplied it. Jesus was and will always be there!

He has been the ever-present answer and the key that unlocked my faith. So, why did I decide to get baptized and share such a personal story? It’s easy, Jesus saved my life and now means everything to me. He protected me as a child, He comforted me in my grief, and redeemed me as an adult. Jesus is everything!

Because of these reasons, I’m here today sharing and publicly acknowledging the saving power of Jesus Christ! I live now with eyes wide open. My faith is unlocked and I know that by the grace of God Jesus Saved me and set me free!

If you are in need and do not personally know the saving love of Jesus Christ, you can call Him and He will answer. Simply ask for His help, in humble submission to His grace, and He will cover and comfort you. It is in His Grace and Love that you will find redemption and healing. My prayers are with you, and for you! God Bless!

 

Blessings, 

AnneBlanchette

To watch the video of my Baptism please fast forward to 12:44

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