Dear Friend,

Marilyn approached me early Sunday morning as I was walking into the sanctuary to promote the very first Healing Hearts class. Marilyn told me that she wanted to talk to me about taking this bible study. I was a little surprised, as I hadn't even promoted it yet and here was a woman who sought me out asking to sign up! There were many more surprises to come with Marilyn.

Let me take you back a year or two. There had been another woman from my church who had sought me out and little by little, she opened up to me with her life story which was beyond anything I could have imagined- Satan worship, sacrifices, incest, murder, rituals, suicide attempts and more. She had multiple personalities and was in the process of trying to integrate them. There were times when I realized I was speaking to someone else. I never understood why she sought me out to share her experiences, as she never talked to anyone else about them. Her trust was zero. I listened to her for hours and hours and read the 10 page letters she would send me. I always asked God why she zeroed in on me. What was I supposed to DO with this information? My answer was to simply listen.

Back to the present with Marilyn - her story mirrored the story of the other woman with rituals, Satan worship, sacrifices, incest. The only difference between the two women was that the first one had her babies, and Marilyn didn't. The first thing I noticed about Marilyn was the wall around her- a solid, tall, heavy wall. Marilyn and I met for an interview over coffee. I listened intently as she shared her life story that few knew about. I think she expected me to register shock. When I didn't, she opened up even more. Marilyn shared about suicide attempts, drugs, alcohol, and anything else that would numb her pain. She spoke of the satanic rituals that she was forced to attend daily. I realized at that moment that God had prepared me for Marilyn through the life of the other woman years ago. God has a plan and His timing is perfect. It was time for me to meet Marilyn and to lead her through Healing Hearts bible study so she could feel God's healing for the first time in her life. Marilyn told me she had a problem with commitment, but she showed up every week. She told me she didn't like to share her story, but she shared with our group every week. Marilyn said she never cried, but she did cry a few times sharing her experience of sensing the healing in her life. Marilyn said she didn't like to be touched, but she let me give her a hug at the beginning of each class, and one on the way out the door.

For the first time in her life, Marilyn faced her emotions. She had a suitcase packed by her door at home on the chance that she would need to commit herself to psychiatric care as she had so many times in the past. Her husband was worried about dredging her past up, but Marilyn knew she had to do this. God's hand was all over it and she refused to ignore it. She came to care deeply for each woman in our group and found herself sitting with friends each week we met. It was wonderful to experience her joy in finding the grace of God, and to see her face light up when she finally understood forgiveness. Marilyn's transformation was so apparent that her friends and the family members she still had ties to noticed the changes. Marilyn was very quick to tell them that this wonderful bible study she was participating in was the reason she smiled, was slow to anger, and that her marriage was strengthened.

Shortly after the completion of our bible study class, Marilyn found herself in the hospital facing yet another back surgery. As a child, her father had pushed her down the stairs and she injured her back. The complications from that abuse plagued her through 20 plus surgeries throughout her life and now she was facing the most serious surgery of all. This one could result in paralysis. Before Healing Hearts, Marilyn would have found herself enraged at her father all over again for what he had put her through. She would have taken it out on her husband and anyone else close enough to get an earful. To her amazement, none of that anger existed this time. Marilyn went through the procedure and healing with a calm peace in her heart which she had never experienced before. When her brother visited her, he hardly recognized the person she had become and wanted to know why. Of course, Marilyn shared!

I am proud to say that Marilyn and I have become friends. We keep in touch by phone and at church, and she is always a pleasure to be around. She still faces health complications, but with grace. She faces financial hardships, but with strength and faith. She has a new father. His name is Father God.

"Before attending the Healing Hearts bible study I was merely existing. Now, for the first time in my entire life, I am actually living."

MARILYN

God is Amazing - Renee Bainbridge, Healing Hearts Group Facilitator

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