Because of my indoor nature, I developed a deep and endring
love of literature. I didn't need to go outside because I could explore all
kinds of places in the books I was reading. (I mean, I really never went
outside... Our neighbors used to ask my siblings if I was ok, fearing I had some
sort of long term illness keeping me indoors. They were kind enough to inform
them that I was just a nerd who liked reading more than playing outside with
friends like the "normal" kids.) I was the weird bubble child whose parents had
no idea what to do with. While they would hike out to bird watching sites, I
would happily sit in the car, deeply committed to whatever story in which I was
currently enamored.
While I was raised in a family with Christian faith and seemed
to always be at church, my religious experience was mostly very negative. The
emphasis of my Christian education was focused on legalism and I never really
heard the truth of the Gospel (which included God's enduring and unconditional
love for me) while at church. Shame and guilt were tools most often used to
manipulate church-goers into "making decisions" or giving or volunteering or
whatever seemed to be the topic at hand. I struggled with these principles
because I did love reading the Bible and it seemed to me that Jesus had not come
to condemn me, but to make me whole with Him - a feat only accomplished by His
love. Despite what seemed like obstacles in my faith, God, in his mercy, has
never failed to show me the truth of His character. My relationship with Jesus
began so early in my life that I can't even remember the day it started. (Some
might say that I should have an exact experience to look back on as the date I
was saved, but I just don't have that. Instead, I have nearly my entire lifetime
of experience in a beautifully enriching relationship with Jesus that gives me
all the hope in Him I need.)
While I was a freshman in high school, I met a wonderful guy
named James. (While he played tennis and golf, he was mostly an "indoor" person,
too. Hallelujah!) We were great friends. He was the kindest boy I had ever met.
While I did not think his jokes were funny (they were corny at best) I always
found myself laughing when he was around. During our senior year of high school,
we started dating and have been together ever since. We got married in 2011 and
this summer we will welcome our first baby boy into our family. James has been
apart of ISBC since early in his childhood and once we started dating, I tagged
along, too.
The theme of my life has been that I am a unique creation,
loved deeply by my Creator. My purpose is to love God and to love those around
me. God accomplishes this through me with all the quirks with which he created
me, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit to show me the way - even when what is
right isn't what is popular, and with the life-giving relationships he has given
me. I know that on every step of my journey, God is the one calling the shots.
Because of this, I have security in his unconditional love and acceptance.
~ Submitted by Jessica Poff
ISBC Women's Ministry
Events Coordinator
