Some time back, I mentioned how many of the precious women that I have been privileged to work with, have become very close personal friends of mine. Such is the case with Michelle.
Michelle is one of the most inspiring women I know! By the grace of our great God, she has overcome the most adverse of circumstances.
As a young child, she endured physical and mental abuse, an abortion that resulted from that abuse, and the sting of cruel condemnation from those who did not understand the truth of her circumstances. She quickly resorted to excessive drug and alcohol abuse, as well as a string of harmful relationships in an effort to escape her great pain and turmoil. This pattern continued for many years in her adult life.
She lived a life of hit and miss, until she finally found the love she was desperately searching for in Jesus Christ!
We met 7 years ago when I became her counselor. God did a tremendous work during our time together, and all that He helped her to overcome was certainly no small thing. When Michelle would share and describe her past, my heart would deeply grieve and literally cause me to feel sick to my stomach at times. It was unsettling, to say the least, to hear about the injustice that was done to her as a little girl, and that continued in her adult life.
Through it all, God healed Michelle from the bondage of her past and has been rebuilding every part of her life ever since!
In response to what God had done, Michelle set out to serve Him in every possible way she could. She currently serves as the president of the Missionary Department within her church, she is a licensed Outreach Missionary, she serves as a post abortion counselor herself now, and she has earned an Associates Degree in Human Services and Psychology, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Sociology.
In the years that I have known her, she has dedicated her time to investing into the lives of young people within the juvenile hall, regularly feeding and clothing the homeless on the streets, and weekly providing transportation to those at the local homeless shelter desiring to attend church. And, may I add that she does it all by herself! She thinks nothing of buying a loaf of bread, a package of lunch meat, and taking it to the park to feed, love, and minister to those that are hurting out there.
Several months ago, she received the prestigious Sargent Shriver Achievement Award. This award honors those who have changed their own lives and are now helping to change other's lives.
Michelle is a woman of great humbleness, and does the work of our God, never to be seen or recognized, but to simply share His love.
Michelle is now a sought after motivational speaker and excitingly shares her testimony of how God helped her to overcome her victimized past. She has also coordinated many women's conferences and outreaches that focus on this same type of victory.
Beyond all this, she is my very dear friend and covenant sister. Our friendship was built from our life experiences. I treasure her, respect her, and love her a great deal! Being able to witness her progress and growth over the years, not only brings me great fulfillment, but also inspires me!
I am very proud of her - but through all of her achievements, the thing that resignates most is that God chose her once broken and tarnished vessel to use for His great purposes. The fact that we can all be used by God, no matter what our past looks like, is truly the crown of beauty instead of ashes!
Michelle is one of the most inspiring women I know! By the grace of our great God, she has overcome the most adverse of circumstances.
As a young child, she endured physical and mental abuse, an abortion that resulted from that abuse, and the sting of cruel condemnation from those who did not understand the truth of her circumstances. She quickly resorted to excessive drug and alcohol abuse, as well as a string of harmful relationships in an effort to escape her great pain and turmoil. This pattern continued for many years in her adult life.
She lived a life of hit and miss, until she finally found the love she was desperately searching for in Jesus Christ!
We met 7 years ago when I became her counselor. God did a tremendous work during our time together, and all that He helped her to overcome was certainly no small thing. When Michelle would share and describe her past, my heart would deeply grieve and literally cause me to feel sick to my stomach at times. It was unsettling, to say the least, to hear about the injustice that was done to her as a little girl, and that continued in her adult life.
Through it all, God healed Michelle from the bondage of her past and has been rebuilding every part of her life ever since!
In response to what God had done, Michelle set out to serve Him in every possible way she could. She currently serves as the president of the Missionary Department within her church, she is a licensed Outreach Missionary, she serves as a post abortion counselor herself now, and she has earned an Associates Degree in Human Services and Psychology, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Sociology.
In the years that I have known her, she has dedicated her time to investing into the lives of young people within the juvenile hall, regularly feeding and clothing the homeless on the streets, and weekly providing transportation to those at the local homeless shelter desiring to attend church. And, may I add that she does it all by herself! She thinks nothing of buying a loaf of bread, a package of lunch meat, and taking it to the park to feed, love, and minister to those that are hurting out there.
Several months ago, she received the prestigious Sargent Shriver Achievement Award. This award honors those who have changed their own lives and are now helping to change other's lives.
Michelle is a woman of great humbleness, and does the work of our God, never to be seen or recognized, but to simply share His love.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 14:11
Michelle is now a sought after motivational speaker and excitingly shares her testimony of how God helped her to overcome her victimized past. She has also coordinated many women's conferences and outreaches that focus on this same type of victory.
Beyond all this, she is my very dear friend and covenant sister. Our friendship was built from our life experiences. I treasure her, respect her, and love her a great deal! Being able to witness her progress and growth over the years, not only brings me great fulfillment, but also inspires me!
I am very proud of her - but through all of her achievements, the thing that resignates most is that God chose her once broken and tarnished vessel to use for His great purposes. The fact that we can all be used by God, no matter what our past looks like, is truly the crown of beauty instead of ashes!
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61: 1-3
I think my Pastor says it best:
"The people whom we help to spiritual maturity, will become our fountain of joy and our door to an ever widening ministry."
--Bishop Gabe Abdelaziz
My friends, never underestimate what God can do in and through you, nor what He can accomplish through those He leads you to!
HE'S A MIGHTY BIG GOD!
(All information was shared with Michelle's permission.)
4 comments:
Michelle, you are a precious child of God. I am blessed to hear how you allowed God to take the worst of you and make it into the best of you. He shines through your story!
I feel like God is restoring my years too. I love that about our Lord, he carefully rebuilds what we once thought was ruins.
Thank you for sharing this inspiring story of your friend!
Have a great weekend,
Tiffany
To my friend Bonnie I am bless to call you friend. I am bless by you everyday our friendship is more than I could ever hope for I love you with my whole heart my friend. May God Bless you and everyone who read your blog.
Michelle
Hello Bonnie,
My name is Lisa aka Trophy of Grace from www.WeUsed2bu.com & www.ConsecratedToHim.com . I just wanted to stop by and say thanks for your comment on WeUsed2bu. It was on Tiffany's article.
Then I saw this posting. This is an awesome story. We truly do serve a BIG God. May God continue to use Michelle to help others and advance His kingdom. She is truly a blessing. Praise King Jesus!
I'm a first time reader and this testimony is certainly bringing HONOR AND GLORY TO OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN! What a servants life, a servants heart and a servants true reward she shall receive in heaven. May the LORD continue to bless Michelle's servant heart and yours as you continue to reach out to all who are in need.
God bless you.
Lisa
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