4th Day of Lent: Saturday

Psalm 32:1-11
*Mark 2:1-17*
Titus 3:3-7

 “Tina’s Story”
(retold with her permission by Mary Beth Mutarelli)

Our “Healing Class” meets every Tuesday afternoon at 12:30.  We’ve been together for over a year and Tina has been a faithful member since the inception of our class.  She’s grateful for our support, acceptance, and encouragement, but it is by no means a one-sided relationship.  Every one of us has been blessed by the discipleship Tina has shown to us. Her dedication to daily Scripture reading, and her constant connection to God through prayer, reminds all of us  that God said:  “Walk with me.  Work with me.” Tina does both!

Tina’s background is heartbreaking.  She never received the physical or emotional care and security every child deserves.  She told us portions of her childhood are blocked out in her memory; most likely, this is an attempt to cope with trauma, abuse and neglect.  Her parents divorced when she was 2, and shortly thereafter, her mother remarried.  Unfortunately, the relationship was violent, and Tina experienced chaos and unpredictability played out daily in her home.

 In the years that followed, Tina struggled through alcohol and drug dependence, domestic violence and homelessness. The negative interactions and communication from Tina’s family of origin were replicated in the destructive men she chose. Perhaps there are some who might judge Tina harshly, and say she should not have remained in such violent and dangerous relationships.  Tina told us she truly knew nothing else, and she came to believe that she deserved no better.

At last, Tina joyfully found the Lord, and His unconditional acceptance, forgiveness and love. She has turned her life around!! She is now in a stable living arrangement with Helping Hands.  She faithfully attends her church, and loves to reach out to others in similar crisis situations to offer her encouragement and testimony. Tina is still struggling now at times when an acquaintance “teases’ her.  She becomes quite anxious and agitated in these situations, and what the other perceives as “just kidding” or just some “harmless teasing” quickly becomes painful bullying to Tina. Tina has an accountability partner in our class, and when she is frustrated or overwhelmed with a stressful interpersonal exchange, she calls her partner for support and guidance.  She is learning, and practicing, new coping skills, and is becoming better able to effectively deal with such situations. We are proud of her personal growth!

When Tina prays, she addresses her prayer to “Dad.” God is truly her Loving Father, and very clearly, He is her deliverer, to whom she turns in times of joy or pain.  As Tina forgives, she heals; as she heals, she forgives.  Forgiveness and healing are part of the same story in Christ. 

Prayer:   

Dad, we thank you for your love, for Jesus, and for Tina’s witness..   

We praise you for the gifts of grace and forgiveness. 
Please keep working healing into our lives and our church.
Amen