Never Too Far Gone

Mar 31, 2019 | by Nancy Newbrough

If you would have told me 18 months ago that I would be clean and sober of ALL mind-altering substances … helping other women to recover … leading some to Jesus … serving as an active member of a loving and accepting church family … volunteering in Student Ministries … contributing with a spirit of hospitality (I love to bake and share with others) … and also a published author, I would have called you “foolish” and probably other names. My name is Heather, Child of God!

I did not always know who I was in His eyes. I am still learning who I am. At 42 years young, my redeemed life has been nothing short of a miracle! 

At a very young age, I was introduced to pornography and sexually abused.  Burdened with a lot of guilt and shame, I continued down a path of sexual immorality. That lead to unplanned pregnancy, secrets and an abortion that I had to hide from everyone. Especially family! With all the shame eating at my soul, I searched fearlessly for anything that would take its place.

Even though I had accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior at age 11 – He was not Lord of my life!  So, unfortunately, it was very easy to stray from Him as I sought earthly comforts of drugs, alcohol, sex and love in all the wrong places.

Fast forward almost 30 years down this destructive path and I was completely suicidal. Filled with anxiety, depression and overwhelming fear, it seemed to me that I had no other choices but to either die fast, die slowly or get help. I was blessed with the opportunity to get help!

That was November 2017. I admitted myself into a local rehabilitation program where I stayed 30 days, detoxed and started gaining clarity. Following that, I was brought into a 12-step program that relies on a Higher Power. Boy, that was a relief because I was completely out of control and power!

Brought to my knees crying out to God, I gave my life and my will over to Him. I still do this on a daily basis. The power of His Holy Spirit (whom I know without a doubt lives in me) continues to keep me sober, my eyes and heart on Him. I live in this faith which is a gift from Him who has moved mountains in my life!

After getting out of rehab, I was blessed with an after-care program where I learned about Prodigal, the worship service every Saturday at 5:30 p.m. here at The Fellowship that offer hope for the broken, comfort for the hurting, and community for those orphaned by life. Attending these services was my first experience at starting a deeper, personal relationship with Jesus.

Jumping all in with both feet at Prodigal, my supportive husband and I soon started to attend The Fellowship Sunday morning worship services. I am continually amazed at God’s grace and mercy! There are so many promises that have come true in my life. One in particular is that I do not regret my past nor wish to shut the door on it, but to be transparent about my deliverance. My story is about how I have been transformed from selfish and self-centered to asking God, “How can I best serve Thee?” He uses me to help others and to glorify Him.

I am completely in love with Jesus and know He lives! I urge anyone who may be reading this to realize that you are never too far gone! Jesus loves you! You are of utmost importance to Him and your story is not over yet!  You are just a prayer of repentance and surrender away from a new life in Him filled with joy, hope, purpose and peace!

Heather

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17