A Life Restored
by Lanette Haskins
They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony.
We all have a story to tell — the good, the bad, the ugly and sometimes the really ugly. The good things are easy to share, it’s the other stuff that we hesitate to reveal. There are those parts of our stories that we would rather be left untold (and of course some details should be left out) but the truth is when we’re willing to share our stories, we encourage others that they’re not alone in their suffering and that gives them hope.
And that’s what I want to do — give others HOPE.
That’s why I write, not to share the ugly parts of my story but to share how God was able to take what was ugly and transform it into something beautiful…
When I was 10 years old I discovered that I had been adopted by the man I called dad. In that moment my life was forever changed as the enemy of my soul planted lies that I would believe for many years to come.
Because I wasn’t planned, I thought that God didn’t have a plan for me. I believed that I was a mistake — a life never meant to be lived. I never felt pretty enough, thin enough, smart enough, talented enough, or good enough and circumstances continually led me to believe that I had no value. I even believed that I deserved whatever happened — like when the “nice guy” who offered me a ride home from a party pulled into a field, locked the doors, and then stole from me the only thing of value that I had to offer.
And so I began searching for love and acceptance that I would never find in any man, only more confirmation of what I had believed all along and the more I gave myself away the more I believed the lies.
Bad choices have a way of multiplying rapidly when you shut God out and that was certainly true in my case. Bad choice after bad choice resulted in a teenage pregnancy, a late-term abortion, and shame and guilt that would hold me prisoner for the majority of my life.
Maybe you’ve made choices that have caused you deep pain and regret. Maybe the shame and guilt have been more than you can bear and maybe you believe that you deserve to be punished. Maybe you’ve been a prisoner to your past. Can I tell you something? Jesus will not leave you there. Just like the parable of the one lost sheep in Luke 15:1-7. He will come to find you. He will carry you home. And He will rejoice in your return.
He will rejoice in your return. ~ @LanetteHaskins Click To Tweet
His grace found me. I was lost and He came looking for me. He carried me home and rejoiced over me — I was enough. Enough for Him to choose me. Enough for Him to die for me. I was drowning in the ocean of it, nothing I had ever done could compare to His grace. It was more than enough to cover my sin and make me clean. His blood poured out for me. I was a new creation, not an improvement of who I used to be but NEW. And friend, He wants to do the same for you.
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17 New Living Translation (NLT)
I no longer live according to the lies I once believed. I live according to the HOPE I have in Jesus.
My past is no longer a painful reminder of shame and guilt but a platform to lead others out of darkness and captivity into truth and freedom through Christ.
We can’t change our past but we can give it to God and trust Him to change our hearts.
My story is really God’s story of redemption and restoration through Jesus. It’s a story of His Beauty for my ashes. I share my story to give others hope and to give Him glory.
Remember, “the power of our stories is tremendous, but left untold, they are useless.”
God has a purpose and a plan for each and every one of us, so share your story, give others hope, lead them to Jesus.
About ~
Lanette Haskins is a writer, speaker, ministry leader and an artist. She is passionate about leading others out of the shame of their past by sharing her own story of Christ’s redeeming love. Lanette is a wife, mom and grammy living in West Michigan. She blogs at Your Grace Found Me, and can be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Linking with other Jesus writers here: #raralinkup, #testimonytuesday, #heartencouragementThursday, #chasingcommunity, & #thoughtprovokingThursday.
Your story is beautiful, Lanette. Thanks so much for sharing. I love the idea that even when we weren’t planned, God had a plan for us. <3
Thank you Betsy! Yes, He is a good Father and we are loved by Him. When we realize that truth our whole world changes!
Thanks so much for sharing your ‘filled to the brim and overflowing with hope’ story, Lanette! There’s so much encouragement in it, I’m pinning to read again. Have a blessed day.
Thank YOU for your encouraging words Carlie! Praying you have a blessed day too!!
Nice to meet you, Lanette. Thank you for sharing your story here (and thank you, Kristi). Praise God that He makes all things new!
Nice to meet you Kelly! Thank you and yes, praise God!
Wow thank you for sharing! I almost was crying!!Very Beautiful and very inspiring ????
Thank you Candy! ❤
Such a beautiful & hope filled post, Lanette. I am so grateful our God redeems and restores our lives. May your words bless many today. You have blessed me!
Thank you Joanne! I’m so grateful too and you have blessed me as well!!
Thank you for sharing your story. I love how God seeks and finds us in the middle of the brokenness and how he can use our stories for good and to help others.
Thanks Lesley, me too!! ????
thank you for sharing hope, love, acceptance, and grace here today, Lanette. a truly beautiful offering …
Thank you so much Linda. His grace is amazing ❤
Lanette, these words you wrote resonated today: “We can’t change our past but we can give it to God and trust Him to change our hearts.” Hallelujah! I’m so sorry for your pain, but so grateful for how God revealed Himself to you in it.
Thank you Lisa! It has certainly been a process but He is so good and faithful and patient! ❤
Reading this makes me remember what an awesome, forgiving, loving God we have.
Thank you!
Yes we do and His mercies are new every morning! Thank you!!
So true! Happy Valentine’s Day! Keep spreading love and hope.
I love that He comes looking for us….when God comes looking, you know He’ll find you! No matter what deep dark hole we’ve been tossed in. Such a beautiful story <3
I love that too!! Thanks Liz ????
Thank you for sharing! Although our stories are painful, they give hope and encouragement to others. Your story gave great hope to my story!
Blessings to you!
Thank you Julie! When we share our stories it gives purpose to our pain. ❤
Oh, Lanette, this is such a hopeful story, and I will remember your words about God having a plan for us regardless of whether we were planned in our entrance to this world.
Thank you Michele, that’s my hope, that others would believe that He has a plan for them. ❤
Lanette, what a testimony you have. And, what a gift that you’re allowing it to be a testament to God’s grace and restoration rather than keeping it to yourself and rendering it “useless.” May God continue to bless your ministry of HOPE. ((Hug)) Thanks for sharing Lanette and Kristi, and thanks for sharing with #ChasingCommunity today. ((hug))
“Ministry of Hope” I love that Brenda! That’s confirmation of a dream I had years ago! I guess I’ll be writing about that too! ❤
Hugs to you!
“We can’t change our past but we can give it to God and trust Him to change our hearts.” – Amen, Lanette. In His hands our past is redeemed and our hearts are healed. Thank you for sharing your story for His glory.
Thank you Crystal! There are so many people out there who are desperate for HOPE, I just want to lead them to Jesus. ❤
Thank you for your honesty to share this part of your story with us. I appreciate your courage. This is so true and life-giving: “His grace found me. I was lost and He came looking for me.” Amen!
Thank you for your kind words Lisa! ❤