So happy to share a testimony with you from a beautiful lady that I had the privilege of working with for a short while a few years ago! We were living and pastoring a church in Northwest Missouri at the time and I had taken a job in an optometrist’s office. This is where I met Linda, we became instant friends. She is going to tell you her amazing story in her own words. You will be blessed!
I remember when I first went in to apply for the job, I saw something different in some of the ladies, but I could not figure out what it was. I just knew it drew me to them and I desired it. I also remember how devastated I was when Nannette left! You see I was drawn to her and the light I saw coming from her!
One day another co-worker, Joy, asked me if I would like to read the Left Behind book series. I wasn’t sure because it was so different than anything I had ever read before. She told me it was a series of twelve books, she would bring me the first book and if I didn’t like it I could stop. But if I enjoyed them, then she would bring the others, so I agreed.
This is what began my journey.
Shortly after beginning to read this series of books, several events occurred to bring me to where I am today. I was living with my fiancé and waiting for him to agree upon a wedding date, which never came!
During the 3 1/2 years that I was with him, I had to have foot surgery to repair a torn tendon. After 3 1/2 years he asked me to leave! Devastated, I did just that. I packed up everything and left. I got an apartment and continued working at Premier Eye Care. My daughter kept telling me that I needed to move to Kansas to be closer to her, so I started looking for jobs.
Within three months, I found two jobs that I had applied for and interviewed. I chose the one closest to my daughter’s house because I knew how to get there! You see, I am directionally challenged! I packed up everything and just as I was leaving, the other place called and offered me moving expenses to come and work for them. I still went with the job that was closer to my daughter. I moved in with her for three months in September of 2010, started my new job and was searching for a home. By December of 2010 I moved into my new home!!
Life was good, or so I thought.
My foot kept bothering me and I remember going to my daughter in tears crying, “I can’t do this, my foot hurts too badly!” We went back to my doctor in January, 2011 and she said that we had a few options.
The best case scenario was to amputate my foot!
We were in shock! We never expected to hear this information! My daughter suggested talking to a lawyer and seeing about getting disability. I did just that, but once I spoke with them and found out all it requires to be qualified as disabled, I was overwhelmed and knew that I would never qualify. So back to work I went.
Then one Sunday night, I was sound asleep in my bed and was awakened! You see, I heard a whisper that I was going to be fired from my job! You can imagine my panic, I had just bought a house, I just came from the doctor and may have to have my foot amputated! And now I may be fired from my job?!
My heart was pounding in my chest, I was hyperventilating and I was crying!
Then, I cried out to God, “I can’t do this anymore….please help me!”
The greatest PEACE came over me and I was able to fall back to sleep!
Three days later I was fired from my job! But, the good news is, because I had read the Left Behind Series, I started going to church and getting into Bible Studies before I lost my job! So, when I did lose my job my daughter called one of the ladies of the church, a strong Christian woman, and she came and sat with me! She prayed with me and cried with me during my hour of need!
I am not going to say it was easy, because it wasn’t. But because I knew my Lord and Savior, I was able to place everything down at His feet. I laid it all at the foot of the cross! I had no job, had just bought a house, may have to have my foot amputated, so many unknowns!
But I got into His Word! I listened to K-Love, a Christian music station and I kept my eyes on Jesus during this entire time!
I applied for disability, which usually takes 18 months to two years to get approval. I received mine in two months!
I found a different doctor and he discovered that I was walking around on a broken ankle due to the way the previous doctor had fixed my foot. I had two more 12-hour surgeries on my foot! He was able to save my foot and I can walk! I walk with a limp but I have my foot!!
I also faced a mountain of medical bills on paper that I knew I could not pay, but with God’s help I paid every single one of them and was never late! Now, I know that all of this happened for a reason because now I know God!
I mean, really know God!
Before, I thought I knew Him, but He has since then showed me otherwise!! I now work for my church as much as I can. I spend a lot of time in my chair with my foot elevated due to swelling. But I am doing the Lord’s work when He asks me to go! I can’t seem to get enough of His Word! I love having a relationship with Him and I crave that time together. He has been a faithful and trusting God. I do not know how I got through a day before without Him!
I usually am involved in numerous Bible Studies within my church. I input our Prayer Requests and Praises into the computer for our Pastors, staff, elders and prayer network to pray over each Tuesday!! I am excited that this September, I plan to attend BSF International. A nine year commitment to study the Bible with a group of women!
God is so good, all of the time!!
I am happy to announce that I am a Sister-in-Christ!!
Linda Sooter is a mother of three wonderful children, three beautiful granddaughters and one amazing grandson. She fills her days by spending time in God’s Word, Bible Studies and working at her church. It seems that God is pointing her to women who are struggling with depression and who are suicidal. So ironic, since all of her life she dealt with her mother who was depressed and suicidal. She enjoys crocheting, knitting, reading Christian books and Christian music.
Sharing with , Diana Wrote, Friendship Friday
It’s amazing to me how God usually uses hardships and pain to draw us closer to Him…but, I have discovered that that is usually the case. It is usually when we are at our lowest that we experience His love and presence the most! It’s difficult to see that, until after we have come through the fire, though, and look back and see He was there all along!
Blessings! Ann @ Christ in the Clouds (http://christintheclouds.blogspot.com/)
Thank you for sharing this beautiful testimony today. I was so blessed and encouraged. God is good! Thank you for linking up with The Weekend Brew!
You are awesome God! I know why you lead me to read this testimony. You are showing me that as you worked in her life and gave her hope and future you are doing the same for me. Thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony linda. My situation may be completely different but the end is the same I know! God is working and never stop working as I thought.
Thank you for hosting Jenifer! She did a beautiful job sharing her heart this week and I know it has touched many lives! Blessings!
Thank you Linda for taking time to comment! I know our readers will be thrilled to hear from you. Your story has been a blessing this week and will continue to be in the weeks and months to come. God uses those who are willing to put themselves out there and tell what He has done for them! Blessings abundant upon your life my beautiful friend! ♥
God is so faithful when you keep your eyes on Him!! Once again, He has blessed me just by being obedient!! First, I must say thank you to my Heavenly Father for asking me to share my journey!! Amazing the many lives that are being touched by this simple act of obedience! Then in being obedient, many have left comments and these have touched my heart strings as well!! Letting go and you gain the whole world! Getting down you are lifted up!! Getting into the light and you are removed from the darkness!! And on and on!! The upside down kingdom of God as Ann Voskamp says!! What is so amazing is that my journey is just beginning!! It is not the end of something, only the beginning!! I now have a thorn in my flesh and through this He is able to work through my weakness!! I lost the world and gained my soul!! Such an amazing place to be and so humbled!! I rest in Him!! Blessings to all~
Beautiful testimony! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for linking up with Woman to Woman’s Word Filled Wednesday! God bless!
Thank you for sharing your amazing testimony at “Tell Me a Story.” God has placed you where you can shine for him and be a blessing to others. Praise God for all the beautiful ladies He put in your path before you came to know Him in a deeper way.
Thank YOU so much for stopping by today and commenting! Linda has a great testimony and we were happy to share it. I know it is going to be such a blessing this week. You are so welcome here at Hope in the Healing, please make yourself at home friend! 🙂
Enjoyed meeting you as well and your story! Thank you for stopping by, you are always welcome friend!
Linda is touching lives this week! Thank you for taking time to comment Floyd! You always have an encouraging word.
Awesome testimony, Linda. Seeking to solve our problems and make our own way seem pretty crazy after seeing how the hand of our Father is one of miracles. I’m praying for your foot and life, may you be His Light and heart to the world. Thanks, Nannette, for shining His Light and heart and sharing this wonderful story of redemption. We’re all redeemed by His love and grace.
I so appreciate your testimony. It’s easy for us to see bad things as only bad, but you are able to see that it was so much more than pain on the surface. So grateful to have you as a sister in Christ.
Beautiful story of God’s love for his children. Thanks for sharing. Nice to meet you Nanette.
It’s always so encouraging to read about the way someone has come to know the Lord, Linda. And then to hear how He blessed you even as you were passing through so many storms of life, when you could’ve become bitter or disillusioned. But God stretched you and refined you in those times. I’m encouraged by your words and testimony since I’m staring down something of a “storm” brewing off in the distance of my life. This was a reminder I needed to hear! And I’m so glad Candace shared your beautiful story!
Dear Nannette
I am so sorry to hear that you also suffer from Fibro and other chronic illnesses.
Grateful you know where your strength comes from.
Blessings XX
Mia
Thank you for sharing your beautiful testimony! I came to Christ later in life after many hardships. I’m so glad you are getting your story out to help others and that things are going so well for you!
Thank you for sharing! This is an amazing example how God works!
Wonderful testimony! God is so faithful! Thanks for sharing!
Wow! Amazing testimony!! So glad you shared!!! Thanks, Candace Jo and Linda!!!