Journey to Salvation: Part Four

Journey to Salvation Part Four
If you missed Parts one through three, start at the beginning with...

http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/05/journey-to-salvation-part-one.html

http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/06/journey-to-salvation-part-two.html

http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/06/journey-to-salvation-part-three.html


So I began seeking Him frantically.
I wanted more of this Jesus—now.
I went on a mission to find a church where I could be fed, and through a course of events orchestrated by the Lord-- I found my church.
I began making sure I was in the presence of other people who were also seeking Him, and also those who have known Him for a long, long time.
I fostered new relationships within my church in a short period of time. He knew exactly what I needed, and who I needed, and He so beautifully placed them in my path.

In the meantime, I was continually being fed through Joel Osteen. His messages continued to bring me hope and encouragement, and I was able to face my days armed with the word of God.

I learned quickly that my all-Catholic family was not as excited as I was about my newfound faith in God.
And that the women at work probably wouldn’t respond to my love for the things of God they way I would like them to.
So I was content in sharing my faith with only those I knew I would get a positive response from.
I was three in one---the church Maria, the family Maria, and the work Maria.

All the while, I was attending my church—alone.


My husband was happy for me, but he wasn’t interested in learning more about the things of God. (He’s promised me he’d write a joint blog soon so he can share his testimony with you!!)
In the fall of 2005, we traveled to New York City to meet Joel Osteen, per my husband’s idea.
And I got the opportunity to share what an impact his messages had on my life, and that through my daughter’s disability, and his guidance, I found the Lord.

I wept like the crazy fan at a Beatles concert as I spoke to him.

I wept because I am overwhelmed that through his obedience to the Lord, I found Jesus.

I wept because if his messages were not simple and understandable, my husband would have flipped the channel, and I may have never come out of my funk.

I also wept because he taught me that I could find beauty in the ashes of my life.

So I cried, and he was ever so gracious to my husband and I.

And for the past five years, I have to honestly say that I still pick and choose where the “church Maria” is allowed to come out.

Until October of 2007 when 60 Minutes did a segment on Joel Osteen’s Ministry.
And during the most watched piece on 60 minutes to date, my crying face was on national television thanking Joel Osteen for all that he does.

CHECK IT OUT HERE: (Maria is at a booksigning at approximately the 7 minute mark)
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4162558n

You see, they were taping my conversation with him in New York City in 2005, and I had no idea.

It was a BIG “Ha Ha!” moment from God.

He must have been thinking, “ You don’t want to tell people you know me and how I’ve changed your life? Fine. I’ll put your face on national television with Joel, and that will take care of that!”

And it did.

The cat was now out of the bag.

I got phone calls and e-mails from friends and family members that had no idea I had a personal relationship with Jesus.
Because I never told them.

And since October 2007, 60 minutes has aired that show two more times, and the phone calls continue to come in.

He is constantly stretching and challenging me, and I love it!



Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy. Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com. Maria is very passionate about getting the word out to special parents that they are not alone in their journey of raising their special child; and that they were chosen by God to parent their children. Maria welcomes comments and communication as well as invitations for her to speak to your group.

Journey to Salvation: Part Three

Journey to Salvation Part Three

Did you miss Parts one and two? Click on the links to catch up!

http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/05/journey-to-salvation-part-one.html

http://thenarrowgateinvites.blogspot.com/2008/06/journey-to-salvation-part-two.html

So—
I was in a fog, trying to keep up with my home, my job, and my daughter’s new world of therapy…
I knew there must be a way to survive all of this, but I couldn’t find it anywhere.
I spent most of my days in depression—I was very good at making the world around me think that everything was OK, but I was falling apart on the inside.

The texture of my heart was different.
It hurt and I didn’t think it would ever heal.

So I began going to Catholic mass again, searching for some sign from God that He was real. Week after week, I was seeking after an answer for all of this pain. I sought counseling from my priest only to find out things on the surface that I already knew. I wanted some solid evidence that this pain was worth it somehow-- That my pain was for a purpose.

All this time, my husband did not go to church with me—he was not interested in learning more about a God that had allowed this to happen to his baby girl.

He was angry with God, and he didn’t know how to fix this.

Then one day he said to me, “I saw this motivational speaker on TV last night, you should look him up, and he really made a lot of sense.” He gave me the man’s name, and I was so out of it, I didn’t really give it much thought.

Then one Sunday morning, the TV was on, and my husband that had no interest in learning more about God said, “This is the man I was telling you about.”


The man was Joel Osteen.


I said to him, “Do you realize he’s talking about the Bible?”
He said, “Yes, I know, he’s very real---he makes the Bible make sense.”

I was so intrigued by the fact that this man had hit something inside my husband, and I had to hear more of him.

I watched him for a few weeks, and almost couldn’t believe what I was hearing…

Then one Sunday his message was about worry.
I thought, “Oh, this is my specialty. I know all there is to know about worry. I worry all the time; it’s one of the things that makes me a good Mom.”

Then he started talking about how God never intended for us to worry.
He quoted scripture that stated, “Do not worry about anything, pray about everything.”

I couldn’t believe that the Bible actually had those exact words in it.
I learned at a very young age that the more you loved someone, the more you worried about them.
That belief was now being tested.

I was standing in my kitchen, weeping.

At the end of his message, he invited his audience to say a simple prayer to ask Jesus into their hearts.
In the midst of my tears, I thought to myself---
“It can’t be this simple. This Truth that I had never heard of is just one prayer away?”

I had been searching for something to make my heart whole again, and I finally found it.

His name is Jesus.

Maria and her family reside in NE Ohio. She and her husband are the parents of two. Their daughter is a person with hemipelegic cerebral palsy. Because of her experiences, Maria provides parent-to-parent support for families involved in her local early intervention program. Her gift for writing has come directly from the Lord since her daughter’s diagnosis. She writes a monthly column entitled, “Special Parents, Special Kids” for the Mahoning Valley Parent magazine in Ohio; and has expanded into Parent magazines in parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. She is also a contributing author at www.mommiesmagazine.com. Maria is very passionate about getting the word out to special parents that they are not alone in their journey of raising their special child; and that they were chosen by God to parent their children. Maria welcomes comments and communication as well as invitations for her to speak to your group.

Happy Birthday Maria

Today is Maria's birthday . . . Happy Birthday Sista!

Maria and I have known each other for many years. We are backyard neighbors and just within the past 2 years we became close friends. Our children have played together since they were in preschool but at the time their friendship started both of us were in our own worlds, our own 'funk,' . . . lost, unsaved, and wandering around searching for a greater meaning and purpose to this thing we call life.

A few years ago, when Maria's son was having a birthday party, my daughter graciously invited our family to the party. A party at Maria's is like being in the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, the Italian version. Of course, Maria insisted we come and little did I know that day would change the rest of my life. Maria and her husband had just returned home from a trip to New York City. I began asking her about her trip while we were there. She told me they went to see Joel Osteen. Hmmm . . . I had no idea who she was talking about. At the party she showed me his book and I sat on the couch and leafed through the pages. She sensed my interest and the next morning she showed up at my door with a set of CD's. She was a little nervous handing them to me. I think she thought I would think she was 'crazy.' On that particular day I had to drive to Cleveland so I listend to them on the way. I was sobbing! And sobbing! And sobbing the whole way there and back! It was the first time someone told me that God loves me unconditionally. It was the first time that someone told me that God created me to be me, not what and who everyone else wanted me to be. And it was the first time that someone told me that God created me with a plan and a purpose in mind. I was loved, created by the master designer, and I had a purpose! And so I the journey out of my 'funk' catapulted to a new level and God gave me an amazing friend to walk with!

So today I thank the Lord for Maria! She is an amazing friend, sista, confidant, worshipper, mother, and wife. She is also a gifted writer and singer. Her voice can light up a room!!! We are still waiting to hear some of those songs she is keeping all to herself. She is honest and to the point, always knowing the right time to offer words of encouragment or an 'italian' jolt back into reality for me.

Today's your day Maria . . . enjoy!!!

Kim