Lynn's God Story

Sometimes I have felt like my God-story is pretty boring. I was raised by parents and grandparents who took every opportunity to share with me about Jesus from the youngest age, as well as model for me what a life lived for God looked like. I desired a life of joy, love, peace and faith such as I saw in those closest to me. I asked Jesus to come into my heart at a very young age at home praying with my mother, and I do not ever remember a time but that I knew I was in God’s family because of Jesus’ death on the cross for my wrongdoings.

(My siblings - Lauren, Mark, and me - back in the day)

I wanted to grow in my relationship with God. I was involved in church and Young Life in high school and college, and worked at a Christian camp. I attended and graduated from Baylor University. God used each of these arenas to grow my faith and provide Godly mentors along the way.

(Baylor roomie, Leslie Fain and I counseling at a Young Life camp around 1980.)

(Leslie and I last summer; still both serving with high schoolers...)

Through the years I have taught in public school, homeschool, and private Christian School and have also worked in Children’s Ministry at my church. God has challenged and matured my relationship with Him through both times of ease and seasons of hardship.

My husband, Martin, and I have been married for 36 years. Our family consists of our daughter, Erin; a son-in-love, Matt; a granddaughter, Emma Grace; our son, Ryan; and his fiancé, Heather. Martin and I live in Aledo with our Golden Retriever, Mater, and two mouser cats.

(Martin, me, Ryan, Matt, Erin, and Emma)

(Ryan and Heather)

Looking back from this vantage point, over my life, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness. I have NEVER ONCE looked back and wished that I had chosen to live according to my own ways, rather than trying, to the best of my ability, to follow God’s ways, as laid out in His Word. I see my “boring testimony” as a gift of His protection and goodness. I love to talk about God and His faithfulness with these gals on Wednesday nights...

(HSM Senior gals)

Over the years, there have been plenty of trials (both large and small), yet I cherish the joy and sense of purpose that has come from living my life for an audience of one, Jesus Christ. I truly cannot fathom how one manages a journey through this broken world without the companionship, peace, and hope that a relationship with God, through Jesus, brings.

Christian community - which I have found through church, Christ-centered friendships, and Bible Study groups - has played a huge part in my walk with the Lord. It is a true gift to navigate life with like-minded people, as we are able to hold each other accountable, pray and serve together, and encourage one another to keep our eyes on Jesus.

"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Only God knows what scarring consequences my “boring” testimony saved me from, but for each and every one of them, I am very grateful. I like Helen Keller’s quote, which says, “Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all!” With God, every day brings new mercies, new growth opportunities, new service opportunities, new friendships, new trials, new chapters, new beginnings . . . quite the ADVENTURE! May I continue to come TO KNOW GOD BETTER and TO LOVE HIM MORE.