Mother and daughter Karla and Martha have walked through trials together and found God faithful. They have experienced more of God through his Word and through ministries at Watermark, especially in seasons of hardship. They have also seen his faithfulness in their relationship as they’ve grown individually in their walks with him. After you read their stories, take a moment to reflect on the Lord’s faithfulness and provision in your own life.
Karla: “I grew up under the safety net of a church and knew Bible stories, but nothing about biblical truth or a relationship with Jesus Christ. I had the persona of being the good girl while living in spiritual ignorance and unbelief. I thought being around people who talked about Jesus and attending church meant I knew God.
“I can remember the exact moment in the late 1990s when God grabbed my heart, and I fell in love with him. His Word continued to be a provision and gift as I walked through life as a mother and wife.
“After marriage and having several children, I bragged that I’d never had a trial in my life. But two weeks later, that changed when one of my children was in a very serious accident. Still, God made Philippians 4:19 come alive: ‘And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.’
“After my husband passed away 12 years ago, I began a season of figuring out who I was. I followed some of my children to Watermark, where I learned the importance of community, biblical truth, and the beauty of God’s Word and character.
“In the last few years, my plate felt overloaded. Caring for aging parents, leading a community group, facilitating Women’s Bible Study, working, losing my mom, and then my dad was a lot to carry. Even when I stepped back from some responsibilities, I still felt scattered.
“In desperation, I decided to check out Re:generation at Watermark. I knew God was trustworthy, but I wasn’t expecting him to speak so clearly through the process. As I was walking one day, I heard him say, ‘Karla, you are in Re:gen to see and acknowledge your own sinful nature of selfishness, pride, and control that you’ve carried throughout your life and marriage.’
“Ministries like Re:generation, The Prodigal, and Grief Recovery have been ways the Lord has given me a full-loaded tool belt to walk through life with him and share his love with others. With God’s Word, his church, and his people, I have been reminded of his faithfulness and care in every season of life.”
As Karla leaned on the Lord in her trials, her daughter Martha was also learning to walk with Christ in her own way…
Martha: “My mom pointed me to Scripture when I was worried or afraid. The church we went to was liturgical and traditional, which gave me reverence for Scripture and for God, but also fed my struggle with relying on my own performance.
“That became a point of pride. I like measurable success, and being seen as ‘good’ was a big motivator. I didn’t ever want to admit I was wrong, so I’d either strive to do what was right or cover things up without reconciliation.
“By the time I left for college, God had provided a few close friends who walked with me in faith. But even in pursuing him, my pride kept me at an arms distance in my intimacy with Christ. I wanted both the world and my faith, without accountability or consequence.
“Over the years, God chipped away at my pride through my marriage, biblical community, and testimonies from the stage. I’ve been significantly impacted by serving in The Nest, Watermark’s ministry for moms. I started by attending, then serving, and eventually was invited into leadership. Ministry, I learned abruptly, is about humility and submission to Scripture, not having it all together. My pride wanted to creep up and put my success on display, but it seemed to fall apart more than come together. Thankfully, Scripture like Romans 5:8 showed me so clearly that I didn’t have to do any self-improvement to earn God’s favor. I needed only to be faithful in my service. The gifts that he gave me were for him to use and refine. I was created just as he desired (Psalm 139:14).
“That shift from striving to relying has also impacted my parenting, marriage, and personal walk with God. It’s a shift I’ve seen in my mom as well as she has humbly sought the Lord, which has served as a great encouragement to me. Her faith continues to impact my life—and now the life of my kids.
“I see God’s kindness as he’s more recently allowed my mom to walk through tough seasons. I’ve watched her grow more dependent on him and pursue faithfulness, and I’ve gotten to be part of seeing God show up in big and small ways. Although we’re on our own different paths, God has placed both of us in positions of reliance on him, and doing so side by side is a blessing I could have never thought to ask for.”