A Testimony of "Grief Gone Bad"

Teresa was a happy child, boisterous and bubbly, always ready for an adventure. She grew up in a small town west of Detroit where she attended a Catholic elementary school. From a young age, she loved God. She would climb the apple trees in her backyard and talk to God like He was her best friend.

But when she reached the age of 13, her faith was challenged. Everything changed. She experienced 5 separate tragic deaths among her family and friends within a rather short period of time. She was between the ages of 13 and 16, which is a tough age for an adolescent in the first place, but trying to process all this devastating, senseless loss had a profound negative effect on her.

Raised Catholic, she knew the Lord, but she did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Therefore, when each of those tragedies piled up, one on top of the other, the pain became too much for her to bear. In a confused muddle of emotion and grief, Teresa became bitter and rebelled. She turned her back on God. She walked away from her faith because she thought that God had failed her.

What ensued was a 20-year journey through a desolate place. Insisting on controlling her own decisions and life, she set out to make a name for herself. She attended Western Michigan University, and in 1993, became a high school English and drama teacher in Michigan and in Florida. Being very outgoing, she excelled at both. She was active in community theaters throughout her life. She also served as the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization in Michigan.

On the outside, she appeared to be a talented and highly professional woman. To the world, she skillfully put on a mask of confidence, while on the inside she was slowly dying from bitterness and anger that she carried into her adulthood. Her heart was burdened with hurts from her adolescence that even her acting abilities couldn’t hide. Even though she managed to achieve all the typical treasures and trappings the world had to offer, she still suffered from emptiness on the inside.

She lived this double life for 20 years before it finally caught up to her and broke her spirit, to the point of suicide. It was at that point that she had hit rock bottom and desperately reached out to God to save her from herself. That’s when she found a true relationship with Jesus. That’s when she gave her life to Christ and He turned her world upside down, or “right side up” as He would show her.

Her journey from there to the present is an amazing testimony of how Jesus can totally change a person from the inside out. Now, years later, she is born again, teaching Bible studies and is an active member of her church in Merritt Island. We trust you will find her story of transformation inspiring!

FREE admission, door prizes, light refreshments, fun and fellowship - let us know if you are "INTERESTED" or "GOING" via this FB event or text Karen at (321)626-7261.

This workshop is presented by "Lifting Up Ladies", a ministry to inspire women of all denominations, to grow in community, faith and friendship. Featured guest speakers are designed to inspire and help women grow in faith, as well as learning new skills and an opportunity for socializing. Lifting Up Ladies is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) organization.

You may also like the following events from Lifting Up Ladies:

• Next Saturday, 11th October, 02:00 pm, Discovering Wholeness through Biblical Eating in Rockledge

Also check out other Arts events in Rockledge, Theatre events in Rockledge, Performances in Rockledge.