SHANIKA'S TESTIMONY

I sent out a poem and wrote my own introduction. I would always take the emails from the inspiration list and send them out to other believers here at my job. I would generally send it out to about 10-20 people each day. Well one day one of the ladies on my list walked up to me in the break room and told me that she just loved my emails and asked where I get that stuff from. I laughed and explained to her that I subscribe to the Inspiration list and that they send me different inspirations daily and then I send them out to selected people here at my job. And she said that my emails are usually just what she needed to hear at the times she receives them and she can usually relate. She acted so grateful and appreciative. That made me feel really good. Everyone loves positive feedback.

Well weeks later I sent out an email that included a poem, "If I had my life to live Over." I obtained this poem while visiting another inspirational site. I loved it so much that I had to pass it on. I don''t know what got into me but I felt compelled to write my own intro to this poem. And so I did. Here is the poem and the intro that I sent out. The intro is followed by the poem I included as well.

We only have one life to live. How do you choose to live yours? Do you cherish and live each day like it is your last? Or do you live selfishly thinking only of you and your needs putting everyone else last? If you died right now, would you be at peace because you know that everyone you loved knows it, that you made the most of every experience every minute of every day? Would you be at peace because you know that you made amends with all of your enemies, had an ongoing relationship with God and helped those you saw were in need? Would your family be able to make peace with it because they saw the way you walked with God every day of your life? or would there be a cast of fear hanging over their heads because it was always a struggle for them to get you to go to church, to turn from your wicked ways and live the way you knew was right?

Would you have regrets because you never did everything you wanted to do, never told your brother you haven''t spoken to in 5 years you loved him, never showed your parent''s how much you appreciated everything they''ve done for you, never forgave John for leaving you all alone with three children, never walked outside barefoot and wiggled your toes in the sand, never had enough patience to do something fun with your children or nephews and nieces. Would you be sad because you saw that lady walking with grocery bags in her hand and her small children on her arm and you were in such a hurry that you didn''t turn around and pick her up? And what about that neighbor who you don''t get along with because his life-style is different from yours? You never even once invited him to go to church with you. OR Did you even go to church? Did you keep saying you were going to go as soon as you got your life together, what if that time never came?

Would you be pleased with the way you have lived your life? Would God be pleased? OR would he be disappointed?

If I Had My Life to Live Over

I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends

over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the ''good'' living room and worried much

less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day

because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth

would go into a holding pattern if I weren''t there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn''t

show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I''d have cherished every

moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only

chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go

get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you''s"... more "I''m sorry''s"... but

mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it

and really see it... live it... and never give it back.

Stop sweating the small stuff. Don''t worry about who doesn''t like you, who

has more, or who''s doing what. Instead, let''s cherish the relationships we

have with those who DO love us. Let''s think about what we HAVE, and what we

are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally,

as well as spiritually.

Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and

then it''s gone.

I hope you all have a blessed day.

Note: Erma Bombeck needed an organ transplant, and even though she could

have been moved to the head of the waiting list, due to her prominence and

wealth, she refused to do such, and subsequently, died from organ failure.

Back to my story!!

Well, a few days later, I saw this same lady who had come to me before in the breakroom. I spoke to her as I usually do. She then asked me the question, "How did you know my ex-husbands name was John?"

I replied, "I didn''t." At this time I am looking at her very puzzled because I am wondering what she is getting at. Then I asked, "Your ex-husbands name is John?" I''m still thinking am I supposed to know him or something? Then she replied, "Yes, and I have three kids." That jogged my memory a little bit and I assumed this must be in reference to the poem I sent a while ago. I said "Oh! Are you serious? His name is John?" She answered, "Yes, and we''re divorced and I have the three kids." I then said, "Wow! That is such a coincidence!"

I went on to my department and on the way I thought to myself and I remembered a poem sent to me by the Inspiration list months back entitled, "That''s God" In this poem, it said there was no such thing as coincidence, only God. I sat down in my seat at work and I was so overwhelmed and felt joy all over me. I emailed this lady and said to her,

"Kate, I had to go back and read my emails to see which one it was that I said that about John. What a coincidence! I swear I had no earthly idea! How could I have? God works through people and maybe he knew you needed to hear that or that you still feel scorned and need to be able to just let go of all the pain and/or grudges that you feel towards John. Kate, I really believe God was talking to YOU through me. Think about it!" (And I still have no idea where those words even came from! I didn''t know anything about this lady! I never knew if she had been married before or what caused she and her husband to split up, for all I know she could have been the one to leave him, but all I can come up with, is God told my mouth what to say to her in the end and told my mind what to think and write in that introduction He used me to get through to her because he knew she listened to me! You cannot begin to imagine the feeling I had. I am not even a big time religious person. I only go to church twice a month and haven''t been making that lately. Though I have been speaking to him through prayer. I ''ve been reading a spiritual book about letting God be all the man I need and about finding comfort in him alone. I''ve been praying and asking God to use me and to help me to do right by him. And he did. That just goes to show God can use anyone! (I have a testimony indeed!)

She wrote me back and said, "and that I will thank you!"

I replied to her saying,"Don''t Thank me, thank God! :-)"

(And by the way, this is between you and me, I will never speak your name in reference to this)

She then replied saying, "oky doky my friend"

And I''ve kept my word, I changed the name for her privacy. But this is one of those blessings you just can''t keep to yourself!

This is not a dress rehearsal!

> ( / \ ) TAKE THIS LITTLE ANGEL

> ( / \/ \ ) AND KEEP HER CLOSE TO YOU

> / \ SHE IS YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL

> ( ) SENT TO WATCH OVER YOU.

> THIS IS A SPECIAL GUARDIAN ANGEL...

I also sent her this caption above as well as this

poem http://inspirations.crossdaily.com/littleprayer/

Remember: God doesn''t call the equipped, He equips the called.

That gave this saying above and this poem below a whole new meaning to me!!

I THOUGHT I KNEW

I did not know His love before,

the way I know it now.

I could not see my need for Him,

my pride would not allow.

I had it all, without a care,

the "Self-sufficient" lie.

My path was smooth, my sea was still,

not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,

I thought I''d seen His grace,

I thought I did not need to grow,

I thought I''d found my place.

But then the way grew rough and dark,

the storm clouds quickly rolled;

The waves began to rock my ship,

my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself

was made of foolish pride.

It fell apart and left me bare,

with nowhere else to hide.

I had no strength or faith to face

the trials that lay ahead,

And so I simply prayed to Him

and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me,

and then He helped me stand.

He said, "You still must face this storm,

but I will hold your hand."

So through the dark and lonely night

He guided me through pain.

I could not see the light of day

or when the storm might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears,

my faith began to grow.

I could not see it at the time,

but my light began to glow.

I saw God''s love in brand new light,

His grace and mercy, too.

For only when all self was gone

could Jesus'' love shine through.

It was not easy in the storm,

I sometimes wondered, "Why?"

At times I thought, "I can''t go on."

I''d hurt, and doubt, and cry.

But Jesus never left my side,

He guided me each day.

Through pain and strife,

through fire and flood,

He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before

how great His love can be.

How in my weakness He is strong,

how Jesus cares for me!

He worked it all out for my good,

although the way was rough.

He only sent what I could bear,

and then He cried, "Enough!"

He raised His hand and said, "Be still!"

He made the storm clouds cease.

He opened up the gates of joy

and flooded me with peace.

I saw His face now clearer still,

I felt His presence strong,

I found anew His faithfulness,

He never did me wrong.

Now I know more storms will come,

but only for my good,

For pain and tears have helped me grow

as naught else ever could.

I still have so much more to learn

as Jesus works in me;

If in the storm I''ll love Him more,

that''s where I want to be!

Once you''ve truly witnessed something or experienced how great God is, You will never be the same again!

This is the end of my testimony!!

"God is able to do far more than we would dare to

ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest

prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes."

Ephesians 3:20 TLB


	SHANIKA'S TESTIMONY I sent out a poem and wrote my own introduction. I would always take the emails from the inspiration list and send them out to other believers here at my job. I would generally send it out to about 10-20 people each day. Well one day one of the ladies on my list walked up to me in the break room and told me that she just loved my emails and asked where I get that stuff from. I laughed and explained to her that I subscribe to the Inspiration list and that they send me different inspirations daily and then I send them out to selected people here at my job. And she said that my emails are usually just what she needed to hear at the times she receives them and she can usually relate. She acted so grateful and appreciative. That made me feel really good. Everyone loves positive feedback. Well weeks later I sent out an email that included a poem, "If I had my life to live Over." I obtained this poem while visiting another inspirational site. I loved it so much that I had to pass it on. I don''t know what got into me but I felt compelled to write my own intro to this poem. And so I did. Here is the poem and the intro that I sent out. The intro is followed by the poem I included as well. We only have one life to live. How do you choose to live yours? Do you cherish and live each day like it is your last? Or do you live selfishly thinking only of you and your needs putting everyone else last? If you died right now, would you be at peace because you know that everyone you loved knows it, that you made the most of every experience every minute of every day? Would you be at peace because you know that you made amends with all of your enemies, had an ongoing relationship with God and helped those you saw were in need? Would your family be able to make peace with it because they saw the way you walked with God every day of your life? or would there be a cast of fear hanging over their heads because it was always a struggle for them to get you to go to church, to turn from your wicked ways and live the way you knew was right? Would you have regrets because you never did everything you wanted to do, never told your brother you haven''t spoken to in 5 years you loved him, never showed your parent''s how much you appreciated everything they''ve done for you, never forgave John for leaving you all alone with three children, never walked outside barefoot and wiggled your toes in the sand, never had enough patience to do something fun with your children or nephews and nieces. Would you be sad because you saw that lady walking with grocery bags in her hand and her small children on her arm and you were in such a hurry that you didn''t turn around and pick her up? And what about that neighbor who you don''t get along with because his life-style is different from yours? You never even once invited him to go to church with you. OR Did you even go to church? Did you keep saying you were going to go as soon as you got your life together, what if that time never came? Would you be pleased with the way you have lived your life? Would God be pleased? OR would he be disappointed? If I Had My Life to Live Over by Erma Bombeck I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the ''good'' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren''t there for the day. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn''t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I''d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you''s"... more "I''m sorry''s"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it... live it... and never give it back. Stop sweating the small stuff. Don''t worry about who doesn''t like you, who has more, or who''s doing what. Instead, let''s cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us. Let''s think about what we HAVE, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it''s gone. I hope you all have a blessed day. Note: Erma Bombeck needed an organ transplant, and even though she could have been moved to the head of the waiting list, due to her prominence and wealth, she refused to do such, and subsequently, died from organ failure. Back to my story!! Well, a few days later, I saw this same lady who had come to me before in the breakroom. I spoke to her as I usually do. She then asked me the question, "How did you know my ex-husbands name was John?" I replied, "I didn''t." At this time I am looking at her very puzzled because I am wondering what she is getting at. Then I asked, "Your ex-husbands name is John?" I''m still thinking am I supposed to know him or something? Then she replied, "Yes, and I have three kids." That jogged my memory a little bit and I assumed this must be in reference to the poem I sent a while ago. I said "Oh! Are you serious? His name is John?" She answered, "Yes, and we''re divorced and I have the three kids." I then said, "Wow! That is such a coincidence!" I went on to my department and on the way I thought to myself and I remembered a poem sent to me by the Inspiration list months back entitled, "That''s God" In this poem, it said there was no such thing as coincidence, only God. I sat down in my seat at work and I was so overwhelmed and felt joy all over me. I emailed this lady and said to her, "Kate, I had to go back and read my emails to see which one it was that I said that about John. What a coincidence! I swear I had no earthly idea! How could I have? God works through people and maybe he knew you needed to hear that or that you still feel scorned and need to be able to just let go of all the pain and/or grudges that you feel towards John. Kate, I really believe God was talking to YOU through me. Think about it!" (And I still have no idea where those words even came from! I didn''t know anything about this lady! I never knew if she had been married before or what caused she and her husband to split up, for all I know she could have been the one to leave him, but all I can come up with, is God told my mouth what to say to her in the end and told my mind what to think and write in that introduction He used me to get through to her because he knew she listened to me! You cannot begin to imagine the feeling I had. I am not even a big time religious person. I only go to church twice a month and haven''t been making that lately. Though I have been speaking to him through prayer. I ''ve been reading a spiritual book about letting God be all the man I need and about finding comfort in him alone. I''ve been praying and asking God to use me and to help me to do right by him. And he did. That just goes to show God can use anyone! (I have a testimony indeed!) We only have one life to live. How do you choose to live yours? Do you cherish and live each day like it is your last? Or do you live selfishly thinking only of you and your needs putting everyone else last? If you died right now, would you be at peace because you know that everyone you loved knows it, that you made the most of every experience every minute of every day? Would you be at peace because you know that you made amends with all of your enemies, had an ongoing relationship with God and helped those you saw were in need? Would your family be able to make peace with it because they saw the way you walked with God every day of your life? or would there be a cast of fear hanging over their heads because it was always a struggle for them to get you to go to church, to turn from your wicked ways and live the way you knew was right? Would you have regrets because you never did everything you wanted to do, never told your brother you haven''t spoken to in 5 years you loved him, never showed your parent''s how much you appreciated everything they''ve done for you, never forgave John for leaving you all alone with three children, never walked outside barefoot and wiggled your toes in the sand, never had enough patience to do something fun with your children or nephews and nieces. Would you be sad because you saw that lady walking with grocery bags in her hand and her small children on her arm and you were in such a hurry that you didn''t turn around and pick her up? And what about that neighbor who you don''t get along with because his life-style is different from yours? You never even once invited him to go to church with you. OR Did you even go to church? Did you keep saying you were going to go as soon as you got your life together, what if that time never came? She wrote me back and said, "and that I will thank you!" I replied to her saying,"Don''t Thank me, thank God! :-)" (And by the way, this is between you and me, I will never speak your name in reference to this) She then replied saying, "oky doky my friend" And I''ve kept my word, I changed the name for her privacy. But this is one of those blessings you just can''t keep to yourself! This is not a dress rehearsal! > > (\ /) > ( \ __ / ) > ( \()/ ) > ( / \ ) TAKE THIS LITTLE ANGEL > ( / \/ \ ) AND KEEP HER CLOSE TO YOU > / \ SHE IS YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL > ( ) SENT TO WATCH OVER YOU. > THIS IS A SPECIAL GUARDIAN ANGEL... > I also sent her this caption above as well as this poem http://inspirations.crossdaily.com/littleprayer/ Remember: God doesn''t call the equipped, He equips the called. That gave this saying above and this poem below a whole new meaning to me!! I THOUGHT I KNEW I did not know His love before, the way I know it now. I could not see my need for Him, my pride would not allow. I had it all, without a care, the "Self-sufficient" lie. My path was smooth, my sea was still, not a cloud was in my sky. I thought I knew His love for me, I thought I''d seen His grace, I thought I did not need to grow, I thought I''d found my place. But then the way grew rough and dark, the storm clouds quickly rolled; The waves began to rock my ship, my anchor would not hold. The ship that I had built myself was made of foolish pride. It fell apart and left me bare, with nowhere else to hide. I had no strength or faith to face the trials that lay ahead, And so I simply prayed to Him and bowed my weary head. His loving arms enveloped me, and then He helped me stand. He said, "You still must face this storm, but I will hold your hand." So through the dark and lonely night He guided me through pain. I could not see the light of day or when the storm might wane. Yet through the aches and endless tears, my faith began to grow. I could not see it at the time, but my light began to glow. I saw God''s love in brand new light, His grace and mercy, too. For only when all self was gone could Jesus'' love shine through. It was not easy in the storm, I sometimes wondered, "Why?" At times I thought, "I can''t go on." I''d hurt, and doubt, and cry. But Jesus never left my side, He guided me each day. Through pain and strife, through fire and flood, He helped me all the way. And now I see as never before how great His love can be. How in my weakness He is strong, how Jesus cares for me! He worked it all out for my good, although the way was rough. He only sent what I could bear, and then He cried, "Enough!" He raised His hand and said, "Be still!" He made the storm clouds cease. He opened up the gates of joy and flooded me with peace. I saw His face now clearer still, I felt His presence strong, I found anew His faithfulness, He never did me wrong. Now I know more storms will come, but only for my good, For pain and tears have helped me grow as naught else ever could. I still have so much more to learn as Jesus works in me; If in the storm I''ll love Him more, that''s where I want to be! Once you''ve truly witnessed something or experienced how great God is, You will never be the same again! This is the end of my testimony!! "God is able to do far more than we would dare to ask or even dream of - infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes." Ephesians 3:20 TLB <BACK TO TESTIMONIES <GLORY LAND <HOME