Oct. 8, 2014 - I Believe: God's Grace Is Enough!

Greetings Allen Temple Family and Friends,

Hope this midweek note finds you strong in the Lord and the power of his might! Our Pastor Emeritus reminded us so eloquently and prophetically through the witness of Job that faith is living in Christ. Our month long celebration has begun. Thank you to all of who have joined our campaign and shared your faith journeys thus far. The road is never easy but it is as we persevere that we learn God's grace is enough for the journey.

This week we hear from another one of our own, Minister Charlotte Williams. She serves in so many capacities but officially as our Minister of Communications. She is a daughter of ATBC and of our renowned Worship Leader, Mrs. Bettye Williams. She knows something about the grace of God. Let's hear from her:

In my thirties, I lived a rather high-flying life, literally and figuratively. In addition to being in itinerant ministry, I was the Country Manager for Sephora Canada based in Toronto; my life took me around the world for work and play. More than anything, I wanted to be in ministry full-time; the bi-vocational lifestyle wasn't satisfying. What I didn't know at the time was how God would work through a series of events that changed the trajectory of my life.

One balmy Toronto spring evening, I became the victim of domestic violence, and the resulting scars were emotional and spiritual, but most of all, physical - head trauma. I stuffed everything about that experience deep into the recesses of my mind and soul, told no one, and went on trying to live what soon became apparent was a shell of a life. My emotions were frayed, I was ready to jump out of my own skin, and I couldn't pray, I couldn't cry, I couldn't scream. Instead I found myself living with headaches that seemed to get worse as the weeks lingered on. I'd gotten to the point where I could barely get out of bed for the pain, couldn't see well, at times I couldn't hear.

One day while flying between Montreal and Toronto, my head hurt so badly that I thought it would explode. Soon after landing, I made my way to Women's College Hospital. A kindly lady doctor told me her findings with sorrow in her eyes - I had post-concussion syndrome on top of severe chronic migraine disorder. Test results showed that I indeed had some brain damage, and in short, I wouldn't be able to continue my high-powered lifestyle; I would live this way for the rest of my days. All I could do was wonder...there was no way that I could be like this - could I?

In the months that followed, I read my Bible (when I could see well enough). What resonated with me the most was the very person of Jesus Himself as foretold by the prophet Isaiah in chapter 53, verse 5: "By his wounds we are healed." (CEB) I had to become the one who was doggedly determined to stand on what the Scriptures said, and believe who He is. I gave up my job and moved back to the States. I had to learn to deal with the daily ups and downs of living in chronic pain. Migraine attacks come out of the blue and bring me to my knees. There are days that it hurts to hold my head up, let alone put one foot in front of the other. I still haven't found the exact combination of medication that works perfectly. The battle with insomnia is real. I have memory lapses sometimes. Some days, it hurts to think. There are times where I have to go to the emergency room for serious episodes. My neurologist is on speed dial. And yet, I know that Christ Himself hung on a cross so that I might be healed.

Since then, the physical scars have faded, but the emotional and spiritual scars have taken a bit more time. Through much grace, prayer, and therapy, I have come to see that our Lord will love us through our healing and walk in front of, alongside, and behind us on our journey. I believe 2 Corinthians 8:9, "My grace is enough for you, because power is made perfect in weakness." (CEB) I'm okay with the lasting effects because they force me to be completely dependent on Him for the life's daily functions. He continually makes a way for me to survive; I no longer make six figures, but He has given my life an indescribable fullness and richness in allowing me to serve His people in full time ministry, and even blessed me to finish seminary with excellent grades - something that my neurologist said I'd never be able to do. Some people say I do too much with too much intensity. Every little thing I do is an offering of thanks to The Lord because He let me live. And I am aware at every moment that if God can do all of that through me when I'm at my so-called worst, what more can He do in my life?

I've shared all of that to say this...my testimony isn't about me. It's about my experience helping to save someone else that may be experiencing what I did in the here and now. Someone may be reading this or perhaps you know someone who is trapped in the vicious cycle of domestic violence, whether physical, emotional, or financial. Domestic violence knows no barriers; age, racial, socioeconomic, educational, or geographical. During October, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we must come together to destroy the stigma and create safe spaces for survivors to heal and reconstruct their lives. They should be able to come forward without fear of gossip, repercussion, rejection or shame, whether in their communities, the courtroom, or the church. The National Domestic Violence Hotline has trained advocates to take calls through their 24/7 hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Knowing and sharing that number could help you save your life or that of someone you love, work with, lives in your community, or sits on the same pew with you at church.

My takeaway is simple yet beautifully complex. I know that the pain I live with 24 hours a day is a reminder to lean on Him. I am proud and blessed to be a survivor. And along the survival journey, I've come to believe Him to be who He Is - a healer, a sustainer, a deliverer.

We are grateful for the grace of God that keeps us even in the most harrowing situations. God most certainly takes what is meant for evil and works it out for our good. Praying that you will Believe God's Grace is Enough!

Blessings to you,

Dr. Jacqueline A. Thompson
Assistant Pastor