Redeeming Love
“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;…
Who redeemed your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;”
Psalm 103:2,4
She ran from the apartment building like a gazelle being hunted by a predator. The phone booth at the nearby 7-11 never seemed so far away. She looked over her shoulder, fearing the worst. Why did she feel as though she was running in slow motion? “I should have killed him when I had the chance! Why did I listen to her?”, she cried as angry tears flooded her face.
At last she arrived at the phone booth and stepped out of her penny loafer. The little slots on the top contained the dimes she needed for her emergency phone calls. One hand fumbled to release the coin from the first shoe. Trembling with fear, her white knuckles on the other hand were frozen around a butcher knife. The dime fell to the ground and rolled out of sight. She worked out the stubborn dime from the other shoe. Success! Her shaking hand struggled to fit the coin into the slot. Alas she heard the dial tone and called her brother. “Come quick! It’s worse than ever! Please come quick! I think he might kill her this time!”
She hid around the back of the building, waiting for her brother to arrive. Two police cars sped by heading in the direction of the apartment building she had just escaped. She sank to the ground with her head in her hands, deep in the depths of despair. Feelings of utter hopelessness, fear, anger, guilt, and shame, all rolled into one 16 year old body. She feared the worst had happened as she sobbed uncontrollably! “Why, why didn’t I kill him? I was so close! If they are dead it’s my fault! Oh, WHY didn’t I kill Dad when I had the chance?” The knife still firmly embedded in her shaking hand.
Have you ever felt like you were in a deep pit or trap with no possible way out? That’s how I felt that cold February night as I waited for my brother to pull up in his car and rescue me.
Not everyone’s story is the same. Some have never experienced what I experienced at the bottom of the pit, others have experienced worse. Ultimately, no matter the depth of the pit, we all need to be redeemed. Only Jesus can redeem and rescue us from the pit. Only the shed blood of Jesus could pay the ransom that is required as payment for our sins.
On October 2, 1969, almost 8 months after the horrors of that night, I sat on a rug square at a youth meeting and listened to the man explain how Jesus redeemed, rescued me by paying the penalty for my sin. No one had to tell me I was a sinner. I was tormented day and night for 8 months thinking about how close I was to murdering my father. I knew what I was capable of, so that night I cried out, “Jesus, rescue me! Save me from the pit I’m in!” And He did.
He’s used the rubble and ruins of my life to build an altar of sacrifice and praise. He’s used my life story to encourage abused women and children for many years.
What’s your life story? How has His story of redemption made a difference in your life and those He has brought into your life?
Heavenly Father, I thank You for redeeming me 39 years ago today. Thank you for my Godly great grandmother who prayed for my salvation. Thank you for the man you used to present the Gospel clearly to me when my heart was ready to receive the Good News.
Your Humbly Grateful Daughter,
You can visit Marsha at http://marshahmusings.blogspot.com
Oh, Marsha…I really don’t know what to say…Yes, we all have been in the pit – sobbing, crying out for someone to rescue us from it. Jesus is always ready to rescue us from all sorts for pits…
Thank you so much for sharing your very personal story with us.
Blessings to you and yours…
I used to be a woman who lived in an abusive relationship. My kids were hurt so much … way more than I was. He was a cruel man who I thought I could fix if I just loved him enough.
It was during that marriage that God pulled me back. I had walked away to live my life on my terms way before then. But, He knew where I was headed and how bad it was going to get. I thank God that He loves me like He does. If it weren’t for Him, I couldn’t have made it through the trial, the divorce, or all the other stuff that was to follow.
But, I did, thanks to Him and He restored my life. Now, I have a husband who loves me, my kids, and most importantly … the Lord. He is so good to us. God gave me back everything the enemy took from me. 🙂
Thank you for your post. It reminded me of how much I have to be grateful for.
Marsha,
I am crying at 6 in the morning. I feel every hurt, fear, as you wrote this story. I thought it was made up until you said it was you.
Marsha, our Great God is amazing. You life is a living testimony to His faithfulness and ability to heal people even from terrible hurst and past.
Thank you for your willingness to share such a personal story. I am greatly encouraged this day to face whatever may be ahead. Love you. Lynn
Thanks for sharing your story. My Father died when I was only three. My mother dropped us kids off at our tiny small town church, but never went herself. I remember reaching out to the picture of Jesus on the Sunday school wall. “I want Him. He can be my Daddy.” and He was. My mother was depressed and bitter, but she loved us. He was there for me through the hard times of growing up with an alcoholic big brother who seemed to have no other way to handle being fatherless. My mother did let me go to church camps and youth group meetings, which I loved. I decided to go to a Christian College and she let me know she thought I had turned into a religious fanatic. I married a Christian man. Had three children. My oldest son has been a minister and is now a Christain business man. My daughter has been a missionary and lived two years in Kabual. My youngest son just graduated from a Christian college with a degree in Youth Ministry. All this to say that little girl that reached out to Jesus for a Daddy has been well taken care of. I wonder what He has in store for my Grandchildren. Hey, He is not finished with me yet either, so I guess I should say, “I wonder what He has in store for me?”
My beautiful friend, you have once again deeply touched my heart with this very personal story. I love you.
What a powerful story and testimony. Thank you for sharing this truth of God’s amazing redemption.
Thank you for sharing your testimony here, Marsha. Praise the Lord for this day!
I just started reading this site a couple of days ago. What an awesome testimony. Thanks so much for sharing.
Yes, I don’t think any of us will ever forget that day! It wasn’t because we cried out don’t kill him… that stopped you. I believe the Lord was with us that day! The Lord stopped you!
A few months after you accepted Christ, you brought me with you to an open house at Youth group and I accepted Christ. God knew best… He always does.
Isn’t it interesting… we both were together when our father took his last breath. Much different scene. Much more peaceful.
Yes, God knows best!
I love you sis!
What an amazing story of God’s redemptive power, love and grace. Praise the Lord – it is a beautiful testimony!
Oh, Marsha…. I am so thankful that God rescued you from the pit! What a testimony.
Oh Marsha, I’m so glad that God rescued you and now you can use your powerful testimony to reach others.
Thank you so much for sharing.
Marsha…I have been so bogged down with work/life that I am FINALLY able to come here to read your heart’s words….and my spam word was so fitting for your devotional story to day. “HOPE”. The hope we have in Christ is what pulls us from the wretched grasp of the enemy of our lives…and HE pulls us in to VICTORY in HIM!
Thank you for sharing such an emotional story. I know there are lives and hearts touched—to the ver core with your words of truth. You are right…our stories vary—but Christ does not. His strength and saving grace is for one and all!
I love you friend…and prayed for you this morning! That’s another reason I had to LOOK you up! You were again brought to my mind and heart!!!