“I feel like I’ve known the Lord my entire life because of the family he placed me in. My parents poured the Word into us; however, our church did not teach much on grace. Faith was always a part of my home, but that didn’t mean life was easy.
“My parents divorced when I was in junior high, which was very confusing and hard on me. Even though I had a foundation of faith, that season shook me.
“In college, the Lord began to write a new chapter. He placed a lady in my life who led a Bible study in my sorority, and she loved me well and introduced me to the grace of the gospel. God placed me in a group of friends who did the same. For the first time, the gospel was so clearly articulated to me–Jesus lived the life I could not live, died the death I deserved to die, and rose again so that through faith in him I might receive forgiveness and eternal life with God. I couldn’t believe that I’d been in church my whole life and in a family that loves Jesus, but I hadn’t had a full understanding of the gospel.
“I felt like I was relearning my faith and relearning the Lord. It took a long time… Yet even in my struggle, I saw God at work, not just in me, but also in my parents, who were going to new churches. I believe he was doing the same with them. He was teaching us new things and bringing us to have an understanding of his grace.
“When I moved to Dallas, God again showed his provision. The Lord put me in the middle of some amazing people. That’s a big theme of my life. In multiple parts of my life, he has graciously surrounded me with people who push me to him.
“I met my husband in Dallas, and our marriage was very hard in the beginning. We had a Christian couple who lived across the street, and they really pursued a friendship with us and eventually introduced us to Re|engage, Watermark’s marriage ministry. There, we were introduced to what real biblical community could be.
“Watermark was the first church I’d been to where I heard people talking about sin from the stage in such an open way. I felt a whole new freedom in life with this church community. I learned that it was okay to not be okay.
“Most of my life, I would have told anyone that I trust Jesus and knew I should be sharing his love and talking about him with others, but it wasn’t until I started volunteering at the Watermark Health clinic that I felt like I was living this out.
“Because of Christ, when marriage or life is hard, I’m reminded that this is just a blip in comparison to eternity! Things of the world don’t have to derail me. The Lord is able to redirect me and remind me of his goodness. He’s given me such contentment, no matter my circumstances. A big part of that is his work through the clinic.
“For some people, God puts a book in their life, or some specific Scripture, or others a person, but for some reason, God used the clinic in my life to change my whole heart.
“Serving stretched me. As I served at the clinic, I realized I was so far out of my comfort zone and bubble. I started to see how I’d been so focused on trying to create my own kingdom for comfort.
“I was meeting people from all over the world right here in Dallas. I felt like I was going on a mission trip and sleeping in my bed at home every night. Through this experience, I understood that there was a whole lot more that the Lord had for me and wanted for me. I also started seeing things the Lord wanted me to grow in. God gave me a clear, eternal perspective on my life.
“I started as a volunteer and served for seven years. Then they asked if I wanted to do some part-time work, and eventually full-time. I never thought I’d go back to work and wasn’t sure anyone would hire me again because I thought I didn’t have the right skills in this technological age. But God just showed me another way he could use me.
“Every day at the clinic shows me glimpses of God’s love. Whenever I serve at the front desk, I see how caring well for people matters. The reality is it's an urgent care clinic – nobody is running in excited to be there. They’re sick, they’re hurt, and some are in pain. But I’ve noticed when they leave, they almost always have a different countenance. Nothing in their life has changed, but they’ve been cared for well when they’re with us, and as they leave, I see some hope, smiles, and grateful hearts. Mostly, they are experiencing God’s love, and sometimes they don’t even know it!”
September 1st-18th is North Texas Giving Day! Historically, funds raised on this day and the associated match gifts have been a key component of fundraising for Watermark Health’s annual operating budget. This year a $200,000 match is available. Support Watermark Health and gospel-driven healthcare
