Maree's Testimony

I was adopted at birth, an experience beyond my control that has left me grappling with feelings of rejection, abandonment, and unworthiness throughout my life. Growing up in a strict religious household, I spent 16 years striving to be the ideal child. However, a traumatic event at 16 shattered my trust in people, particularly those connected to religion, and for the next 30 years I lived a life of sin, partaking in activities not in adherence to Gods way of life.

In 2019, as my second marriage disintegrated, I sought counselling. I was shown how to love me for who I was. And then I noticed the truth of love, that others had always given me love but I had blocked it out. I also started to notice God had always been working in my life. I found a box of bible verses my mum had given her parents in 1965. Each day I would read one verse. The first one I ever read was Zephaniah 3:5 “he faileth not” this is so true. God doesn’t lie, he can never change. He has shown me he may not answer my prayers in the way I ask, but he never fails me.

On September 7, 2023 my adopted mum and my birth mother had their respective funerals. I again, could have been wandering in the wilderness, but this time was different. After mum died, I gave my heart to God, I bared my filthy soul, all my sins of my life that are too many to count, the pain and difficulties I’ve experienced and I asked God to help me through the battles I was facing, especially to forgive those who had done me wrongs in my life.

God in return showed me his love and asked me to be his servant, to use my experiences to show others love, compassion and kindness. I have learnt God uses our past, our weaknesses, to benefit others and that he can and does work miracles in peoples lives if they truly believe in him. I thank God for giving me the life I’ve had, for the people that have come and gone from my life, for the life experiences both good and bad, for my boys, pets, friends and family all who have played a part in my identity.

No one knows when their last breath will be, so I ask of you, make the most of today, God loves you and wants you to come into his fold. “For thou, LORD, art good and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalm 86:5