Admin note:  The following post is a reprint from our women’s newsletter Ablaze in Beauty

At a small southern Baptist church, I accepted Christ as my savior during Bible school when I was 8. Content with knowing I was going to heaven when I died, I never admitted the need to develop a personal relationship with him. On the outside I appeared happy, content, confident and full of life, but on the inside, I was miserable, empty,    discontent, and at times, depressed. I knew something was missing but uncertain of what, I would try fulfilling that need with all the wrong things. Thos things were only temporary, and I was left with a desire I couldn’t fulfill, and the consequences that followed.

Finally, almost three years ago,  during a Sunday morning service, I surrendered ALL of my life to Christ. I realized I had been living life my way and not God’s way, and I simply could not do it anymore. I was desperate for him. Still full of pride, never asking anyone for help, I began searching for resources that would help me with this decision, and God graciously provided them. One resource that has impacted my life the most is the women’s ministry, here at Dogwood. Each woman serving in this ministry had their own way of ministering to me through their love, devotion to God, and passion for his word. I first joined the evening bible study, where God placed me in a small group with the most  precious women who today are some of my best friends. They encouraged me, prayed for me, and helped me through the struggles I was facing on my journey. Since that time, God has allowed me to participate in several of the studies offered here at Dogwood.

I can’t begin to tell you how God has transformed my life. I am so grateful, tears roll down my cheeks when I think of where I was and where I am today. My favorite verse at this time in my life is 2 Samuel 7:18 “Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” A verse I just became familiar with during a current study. You see, I was convinced I’d never be accepted or loved if people REALLY knew me or my past and certainly never used by God. Yet, here I am today writing this testimony hoping others might be encouraged to give God a chance to change their life, too. The women’s ministry has played such a vital role in helping me study God’s word, applying what I’m learning, providing a place to serve, and, developing friendships with other Godly women. Women that share some of the same struggles I face every day.

If you’re struggling in your relationship with Christ, I encourage you to give the women’s ministry an opportunity to help you. I can’t wait to see where God takes me on this journey, and I hope many of you reading this will take that step of faith, and surrender ALL of your life to Christ, today!

Melanie Rexrode

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