Lynn Overton

My Testimony

As a child growing up, I never really attended Church on a regular basis. However, Mother taught us about the Lord as best she could. Both Mom and Dad were very caring and loving parents. As I remember, the best part of growing up with 8 siblings was that I was "Daddy's little girl."

As I grew older, my focus in life was about partying at all the nightclubs in town and having a good time. God or the Church was nowhere on my mind. However, about 28 years ago my Dad got sick and was sent to the hospital, where he remained 3 months. He had numerous surgeries and procedures but never really recovered. One day we got the news from the doctors, "He only has two weeks to live."

Day after day, I sat by his bedside holding his hand, singing hymns and repeating with him what I remembered of the 23rd Psalm. I watched as he withered away and died within the predicted time.

Dad was the first loved one I had ever lost. My world turned upside-down. I felt hopeless, empty and desperate for something, anything, or anyone that could take away the ache and pain I felt. There was a burning hunger within, but I did not know for what, or for whom. Out of desperation, I began attending church.

As I sat there and listened Sunday after Sunday, I began to feel some measure of peace and joy returning to me. The more I stayed in church, the more my hunger grew for the Word I was hearing. It was then that I realized that I had found the answer, Jesus Christ and the hope He gives. I accepted Christ as Lord of my life. It was a life-changing experience, and I have never looked back. My sorrow has turned to joy and I now live with the knowledge of God's love for me, and the hope that does not end with my death here on earth. I am now assured of where and how I will spend eternity.