Lake Eufaula Christian Church
Examples of people persevering through trials and being blessed for trusting the Almighty abound in the Bible. But examples closer to home and easier to understand abound among our family, friends, and church congregations. This summer, we at LECC are devoting our Sunday worship services to examining testimonies among our own.
Our “Summer Stories” started this past Sunday with testimonies from Kim Little, my wife of almost 20 years, and our friend Anna Duke, wife of John Wayne Duke and mother of Charley and Olivia.
Kim shared our story of wanting to have a baby. In 2010 we had built our dream house, established our careers, and wanted to start our family. This was long before I had any intentions of entering the ministry. Kim told about our joy of announcing her pregnancy and then the pain of the miscarriage the first of four to occur in the next four years.
After spending thousands on fertility specialists and undergoing much anguish, a revered church member, now deceased, asked if we’d like to have the elders and deacons pray over us, reminding us that it’s Biblical to do so. Kim told the congregation this past Sunday, “After they prayed over us in 2014, I felt a great sense of relief. We handed our burden over to God. It works! You’ve just got to let it happen.”
Kim and I became the proud parents of Avenlea, our miracle baby. Kim credits scripture for getting her through our long ordeal. She often repeated Psalm 118:14: “The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation.”
Anna told about the scare she received in 2017 when John Wayne was diagnosed with a brain tumor requiring a complicated 12-hour surgery at John Hopkins Hospital in Maryland.
Also at that time, they were building their first house when suddenly the contractors left the job, and they found that sub-contractors had not been paid. The burden of juggling John Wayne’s illness, construction complications, trying to work and still manage her own job caused numerous ulcers that put holes in Anna’s stomach. Singing the uplifting lyrics to “Just Give Me Jesus” helped her remember God’s blessings and believed they would continue as Anna poured into scripture. She also repeated what John Wayne’s doctor told her. “God’s got this!” The statement proved to be true.
Both Kim and Anna persevered, exactly what God requires when we’re met with a testing of our faith.
“Consider it pure joy…whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2). Then both Kim and Anna prayed with faith, knowing “the one who doubts… should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1-8) Think about your own faith story and remember, you can’t have a testimony without a test! We at LECC would be pleased to help you endure yours and to help you see God’s goodness in the middle of your storm. Like many of us have learned, Jesus has taken us from being stressed to being blessed.
Come to 415897 Highway 9 for small group Bible study at 10 a.m., worship at 11 a.m., and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday night classes when we continue to persevere, pray with faith, and procure the blessing.
God Bless You!
Jeremy Little
