Dear Editor--

 

Someone just passed the article on to me regarding your deliverance and new mission in life.  I am thrilled and rejoice in the mighty works of Jesus.

 

I was delivered 10 years ago this month.  Padah is Hebrew for ransomed, for I have truly been bought with a price.

 

I was raised in a strong Christian environment and had a great Biblical foundation and was even called into the ministry at a very young age.  However, life took its toll and because of abuse by a relative and a step-father, my moral compass was off center.  I was hurt and angry and a prime target for the devil to sink his claws into. 

 

Here's the kicker--I was actually in the ministry when the thoughts and desires started.  I battled and battled and an older woman in the ministry who was a mentor, led me down the path of destruction.  Unwilling to jeopardize the integrity of the pulpit, I left the ministry and moved to Southern California.  One thing led to another and the thing that sealed my fate was a visit to a group called Homosexuals Anonymous.  I'm sure they meant well...but up until that point I was truly resisting the lesbian lifestyle, but once I sat in that little circle and said, "Hi, I'm Shirley and I'm a lesbian...."  I was totally lost---I have friends who can verify the change in my appearance as well as my actions. 

 

Circumstances brought me to North Carolina with a group of people.  We had heard great things about the freedoms of the "lifestyle" in Asheville and 13 of us migrated here.  We arrived in December of '91. 

 

I experience my first "Pride March" in 1992 and was broken hearted to see the protesters that lined the streets were the God-fearing people of the church who were making fools of themselves...not a scrap of love or compassion could I see.  I marched as a peacekeeper between the marchers and the spectators...and it was a scary place to be.  There was a man standing on the corner, yelling "turn or burn" and thumping his Bible calling us vile.  I told him that I didn't think a Heaven Father would act like he was acting.  I was so grieved because in my heart of hearts I knew that the on "Jesus" many of the marchers saw, were these Bible-thumping, fearful, screamers and I knew Jesus was so much better than that.

 

In 1995 I started going to a little church and just sort of slid in and didn't let anyone know about me.  I layed low and keep my personal life to myself.  At this time my partner and I had gotten custody of her 2 teenage daughters.  So we were a tight knit little family and highly respected and loved within our community.

 

My heart still ached as I missed my relationship with God.  My partner and I had a union ceremony and I remember the preacher (Gay) asked her in our couple counseling if she could handle being a pastor's wife.  I guess he saw the call in my life.

 

One night, I was driving to NY to pick up my partner who was visiting her family.  I was alone in our Ford Pickup driving through Virginia when the Presence of God filled the cab.  I cried out to God.  You know I had been to counselors and preachers seeking deliverance for years.  But at that moment, I felt the separation between God and me and it was hell.  In all the years of seeking help I never spoke directly about the sin in my life.  It was always "this area of my life" or that "sin that so easily trips me up" and never the "L"-word.  But that night I cried out to go driving 70 mph down the highway..."I said God I don't want to be a lesbian anymore.  Please deliver me."

 

At that moment it was gone.  I can't explain it...but it left.  When I arrived in NY, my partner opened the door and looked at me.  She said, "It's over, isn't it?"  Wow.  If she could see, I knew it happened.

 

It took a couple of months to get things sorted out.  Our home, business and the kids were entwined together.  But God soon opened up a place for me to move to and I started my new life.  Thankfully, I had church people and family surrounding me.  In the past 10 years I have seen layers of the past peel off.  I have never looked back with the desire to go back.  As a matter of fact, it is hard for me to even envision that I was there in the first place.  God has been so faithful that even the smell of smoke of that part of my life never clung to me.  I am free.

 

I have been ministering to parents who don't know how to deal with children who are gay.  I do some counseling.  I have gone on and completed my education in Bible College and am ordained as a minister of the Gospel and also as a Priest in the CEEC. (Communion of Evangelical Episcopal Churches see www.theceec.org )

 

My life belongs totally to the Lord and it is my desire to create a safe place for women to come and find restoration and deliverance.  Please feel free to check my website at www.returningprodigal.org and see what you think.  I'll be adding more info on myself there soon...I've been moving along step-by-step and only reveal my life as God directs. 

Just wanted you to know how much reading your article blessed me, especially since I was talking to a young lady who is convinced no one can't break free.

 

God is faithful.  Bless you!