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"My family and friends began to
notice that I was developing a closer relationship with Christ and I
wanted that for my family too!" -Marline Holland |
| I
started coming to Holy Cross about six years ago through an invitation
from my sister-in-law.
We had just moved to Lincolnton and didn’t know anyone.
She said that it was a nice and very friendly church. So
my girls and I went, and we really did like it. I have gone to church most
of my life and have always called myself a Christian, but the more I went
to Holy Cross and the more I got involved, the more I started
praying and trying to rely more on the Lord.
There were times when things were going wrong that I would talk to
Jesus and he helped me to see where he was working in my family's lives
and showing me that he is really there.
My family and friends began to notice that I was developing a
closer relationship with Christ and I wanted that for my family too! About
four years ago, I attended a Via de Cristo
retreat.
I have to say that before that, as a Christian, I had only had
opened the door but had never really walked through before this.
It was then that I really saw what I had been missing! It really
changed my life. As Pastor Duncan drove me home from the retreat, he said,
"Remember -
everyone at home isn’t going to feel the same way that you do
right now, so don’t overpower them all at once with everything that has
happen to you."
I knew though, that I wanted my husband, Curt, to go so he could
share this experience with me. But I knew it wouldn't be easy because of
his work schedule.
That was a built-in excuse for him.
So I prayed about it often… for him and
for our children. A
few years have gone by.
Curt was hurt on his job and is now unable to work.
But with this extra time I have been able to get him to come to
church with me more and more. There are still many things that happen to
test our faith, but God uses all things for our good.
I’m not sure why they happen, but I know that sometimes it’s
the way that they happen that gets our attention.
Curt agreed the go on Via de
Cristo weekend. I was nervous because I wanted him to enjoy it as much
as I did.
All in all he had a good experience and has made some good friends.
Now we count on each other in prayer and we help each other out when we
are down. It makes me feel really good when I get in the car now and he
already has WMIT on the radio
without me tuning it in! |