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  By: Flora Cheadle

Note From The Editor:  Flora's desire is to see people receive Jesus Christ. She shares her testimony only for that purpose and has committed herself to pray for those who would like to communicate with her.  She is a true saint of God and loves Jesus Christ with all her heart and loves all people truly with the love of Jesus.  We encourage you to read on if you need some hope or encouragement in your marriage situation.  We  also encourage you to contact Flora at fcheadle@ortelco.net if you want or need some personal one on one.  She will truly be a blessing and help to you!

My marriage was about to dissolve. My husband and father of our two children was not present emotionally to meet my needs. His time at work far outweighed his time at home and when he was home, he was planted in front of the TV. Our only enjoyment was found after having a few drinks and that became unfulfilling. I was lonely and without hope. My life revolved around my children and my work. My appreciation came from those I worked for in my profession. I had no happiness and was not secure. My husband and I were not a team as I thought marriage would be. I was raising our two children alone. I no longer loved my husband of seven years and wanted to get out of the marriage. I thought I would have more peace.

I heard about Christ from village missionaries when I was a little girl living with my family in the logging town  of Bates, Oregon. Village missionaries would hold a two-week Vacation Bible School every summer and because there was nothing else to do, I attended the VBS. I heard about Jesus from Missionaries and prayed for Jesus to come into my life every summer. However, there was no one to teach me after they would leave. I wanted to be a missionary when I grew up, but had no guidance.

Now I was 27, searching for peace. I remember what I had been told about Jesus wanting to save me, and that He would give me peace. I struggled with knowing that my children loved their father so much and it broke my heart to think that if I divorced him, that their heart would be broken also. I just could not put them through this kind of pain. I watched my neighbor go to church every Sunday. They were our age and had two children the same age as ours. They seemed to be such a happy family, and they had affection for one another. I thought going to church was the answer so I started attending the same church they went to. I did all the right things - I publicly acknowledged Jesus Christ as my Savior, was water baptized, and began to sing in the choir. All this time I took our children to Sunday School and church with me. I was still alone and miserable inside. My needs were not being met.

Then I was invited to a home bible study by a group of people who seemed to love Jesus. They talked about Him as a personal friend. I knew I did not know Jesus that way. To me he was someone who still lived on His throne in Heaven. I longed to have that same intimacy with Him as they did.

I participated in the bible study for a time, then one night I was so hungering for that personal relationship, that I held back my tears. At the end of that study that night, having sat and not said a word, someone noticed and asked me what was wrong. I burst into tears saying "I don't know, but I want to know Jesus like you know Jesus."  At that time someone said, well it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit and I could be baptized if I asked Jesus.

They didn't tell me anything more, I had no bible opened to me or anyone instruct me. All I knew is that I wanted to know Jesus as they knew Him. I said I wanted to ask for it and they instructed me to sit in a chair in the middle of the room. I eagerly sat in that chair. I did as I was instructed. I asked Jesus to fill me with the Holy Spirit. People around me laid their hands on me.

When I asked him to fill me, I felt oil was poured into me from my head to my feet. I fell in love with my husband, with Jesus, and for the first time I was at peace. I left that night a woman who had fallen in love with Jesus and with my husband. As I left, I remember someone saying to me, "Oh, you might start speaking in tongues". I really didn't understand what was being told to me, but when I drove into my carport that night I began to sing in a heavenly language.   Oh I felt wonderful, unlike anything I had ever experienced before - alive!

I continued to attend these weekly bible studies. I saw people healed of sickness, and answers to prayer. When I came home, I shared every exciting event with my husband. My life changed immediately. My husband noticed the change in me and my love for him. Ten months later, he surrendered his life to the Lord. We have been growing together ever since that time in serving Him. The Love of God motivates me to serve Him and others.

Posted: July 22, 2006