I first met Jessica at a Saturday night service, but the first time she came to our church was about two weeks earlier at the funeral of a friend who had committed suicide. It’s hard to see how good can come from something as tragic as a seventeen year old taking his own life, but it’s in these moments that God does His best work.
“Close friends” is how Jessica summed up those who accompanied her to the funeral and then brought her to a weekend service, Saturday night, April 19th. It’s only been a couple of months, but Jessica knew from the first visit that she had found a home. She’d tried other churches, but for her, Community was “the only church I really felt in God’s home.” She said she connected with people right away.
Her friends were already in a LifeGroup and they invited her along. Jessica said, “They were great. I have met other people of God that understand things I have felt.”
Jessica is getting baptized at this weekend’s Saturday night service (6:30 pm). Her first visit to Community was one filled with tears. There might be tears this Saturday night, but they’ll be tears of joy!
Thank you God!
6 comments so far
GOD WORKS THROUGH OUR PAIN ...BUT, WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE IT THAT WAY....SO MANY TIMES I HAVE SEEN GOD TAKE BROKEN PIECES AND MAKE A BEAUTIFUL VESSEL FOR HIS SPIRIT TO DWELL IN....I WILL PRAY THAT JESSICA WILL BE ONE OF THEM......
Just know that we draw nearer to God through the bad times. He is always near even when we are'nt listening. Remember He is always with you.
I happen to know both of you ladies and know you've been around LONG ENOUGH to experience pain AND have God come to your rescue. Thanks for sharing, John
It is interesting how God uses some of the most painful things in our lives to help us see our need of Him. My dad committed suicide when I was in my early twenties.
It was bad enough losing him without ever being able to tell him how sorry I was, but to learn it was suicide just made it worse. The load of guilt I carried was so unbearable, at times I even considered taking my own life. But God,who is great and rich in mercy, had a godly woman who had been my Sunday School teacher when I was a child write a letter she felt impressed to write and encourage me. She reminded me that God was still there for me if I would just come to Him. I couldn't believe her letter found me as I had moved to Florida.
Needless to say, my husband and I started going back to church and the Sunday School teacher was teaching from the book of Romans. It was exactly what we needed to hear! We repented and surrendered completely to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
My father's death caused me to search for answers. In my search I realized my need of Jesus. He lifted the heavy load of guilt and shame and freed me from my life of sin.
Though I sometimes miss my dad--I am forever grateful that God pursues us and uses all things for our good if we allow Him the opportunity to. My heavenly Father promises never to leave me!!!
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Dear Jessica,
The world we live in is so full of pain. But nothing that I immagine that Christ went through to bring you to our heavenly father. Once in my life I thought of suicide as a very selfish act. But knowing that God is the creator of all and knew us all even before we were in the womb, he knew your father and he knew you. Perhaps your fathers suicide was not a selfish act but the only act he knew to bring you to ever lasting life.