CUT THE ROPE

There once was this young woman named Lisa. Her life was a dream, or so she thought. In her youth she was beautiful,smart, strong and courageous. Sought after by employers,friends and men- her hand could touch nothing but gold. It was her privilege,duty,and burden to care for her terminally ill father. He was good to her,although demanding. Her mother on the other hand,was cruel,deceptive,and full of anger and resentment toward Lisa.
Lisa unbeknown to her at the time, was loved deeply by God and blessed through His Grace. She loved pleasure rather than Him. Seeking instead after drugs,drinking,pre-martial sex,witchcraft,lying,jealousy and ungodly relationships of all kinds. God now meant nothing to her,despite growing up going to church faithfully. Lisa was sure that her looks,youth, skills,contacts and manipulation (works of Satan) was the ANSWER and the only one she needed to get through her life.

Her childhood was filled with some joy,and many material possessions. Her family spent alot of there time fighting and was trapped by unforgiveness, mistrust,and fears. Her parents' marriage broke up one day and her older siblings ran away- grownups eager to start their own lives, they were certain would be filled with happiness and true love. All which undoubtedly was lacking in the family household.

When Lisa moved into her father's home to care for him as he fell very ill, her mother's disapproval was always hovering over her. Her mother's goal was to destroy her ex-husband and Lisa by temper tantrums, meddling,criticism and hatred. Lisa fell deeper and deeper into sin, experimenting with sex acts with any man she could find. Witchcraft of all sorts (spells,card reading,and calling upon evil spirits). She found out she loved alcohol and that increased slowly but surely. Lisa fought with her family more and more, she had drama on her now numerous jobs, she went from boyfriend and one night stand lover to the next. She had revolving door friendships and she never looked back on anyone who crossed her. Lisa was addicted to several drugs that was growing a stronger hold on her than she realized or cared to admit. Like all addicts she was in denial. Not only was she wrong- she was ruining her life and all that God had in store for her.

Lisa kept on this path although a near collapsed lung, memory loss, and rapid fire mood swings plagued her. Her life and all that was in it disgusted her and made her unhappy. Lisa often contemplated running away from it all or suicide. She no longer cared as she had one battle too many and her father's health was turning for the worst. He was removed from her care and placed in a facility after a double leg amputation. Lisa was fired from her job as a office assistant,and she was evicted from the home she once shared with her father. Lisa had to sell her car and furniture to pay off bills that were swallowing her savings. She was broke, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and her boyfriend no longer wanted her around. Her friends had long deserted her. No one wanted to take her in or help her get on her feet. One of the last nights in her home she went into her walk in closet and sat down.
Lisa had had enough and this night was the night to end all the pain. Her first thought was to off herself and go into the hereafter. Lisa felt that she had nothing else to lose, all was lost in her beautiful brown eyes. With tears streaming down her young face, her father's .38 in her hand, a solution was within reach. Hours seem to have gone by and she was just sitting there in a daze, unable to pull the trigger.
Nostalgia, fear, depression ruled her brain but she began to do something completely out of character. Lisa suddenly remembered her upbringing of worshipping God in church! She decided although scared and numb maybe reluctant a bit, to reach out to the Almighty's unconditional love. Lisa boldly raised her self up onto her knees and whispered "Father I need you, help me Lord I am so sad and scared. Please help me to make it for I am weak. I need you now,right now!" God in heaven heard Lisa's fervent prayer and spoke back to her. Whatever was spoken renewed Lisa's soul and spirit, for within minutes she left that closet and threw the handgun away. Lisa smiled as she washed her face and took a long look in her bathroom mirror for one of the last times.

Her mother called the next day to say the family would help her move some belongings into her mother's home. She could live with her mom and stepfather. Lisa accepted and she quit drinking and taking drugs. Withdrawal was hard but constant prayer and God's word worked like a charm. Lisa felt so good in God's light and grace she even stopped smoking cigarettes too! Lisa's mother gave her time to get clean and free from her demons. They worked on their relationship for the first time in years- with God's leadership and lots of patience. It was not easy or perfect,but Christ filled and blessed tremendously. Lisa was thrilled at the opening and offer of employment at her stepfather's company. Her past clerical skills led to an executive administrative position with a decent,kind boss. Lisa was so happy to have a straight path to finally walk on. One thing was still missing in her life and deep down she knew it. One day she had to use a bathroom on a different floor at work due to remodeling going on at the time. Lisa was coming out of the stall when a woman she had never seen before asked her for a breath mint. Lisa happened to have some and of course shared them,as they struck up a conversation. Friendly and positive, the conversation led to God. Lisa was impressed to find someone of the same Christian faith (before she had not found one person who went to church or liked to talk about God at work). Lisa was even more impressed by the church this woman went to and all the great things this community of faith was dedicated to. The woman and Lisa exchanged numbers which came with an invite to the woman's church on the following Sunday.

Lisa decided to go after convincing her mother to tag along with her. Lisa felt at home right away as the presence of the Lord filled the church. Lisa was overjoyed and she could not get over the feeling of being with other sincere,proud believers. Soon after Lisa was a member of one the best churches in town and was determined to become an active believer. Her new friend from work led prayer and bible study sessions from her home twice a week. Lisa went several times before her friend decided to have Lisa share her story of struggle and redemption with the group. Afterwards fellow members came up to Lisa hugging her and offering kind words. Lisa was so amazed that people were so kind and not turned off by such a wild tale of shameful sin.

Lisa was on cloud nine and was even more joyous when her mother and stepfather decided to join her church. To this day Lisa, her husband (a youth leader for their church), and their children talk about her past mistakes. Lisa tells them that the things she engaged in can happen to anyone. For sin crouches at the door, but you must rule over it (Gen. 4:7). She also told them how God's love saves us from our afflictions (Psalm 116:8), and that he is always willing to seek and welcome us back into His open arms whenever we stray (Luke 15:6-7,20). Lisa was so happy to constantly tell her children about being baptized in Christ and granted eternal life and peace for she believed in Jesus as the son of the Living God. Also,how it all began because she took the first step to being saved, by calling upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:13).