| |
A lifelong journey of faith
in God
by Betty Ann Dillon
The parents whom God
gave me were very special people who early introduced us to a loving Father. Some of my earliest memories are of Mother reading to my brothers and me
Bible stories as our bedtime stories. My Dad was pastor of two small
churches in Caroline County and then went to Warrenton, Virginia where we
lived when, at the age of eight, I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It
was a perfectly natural outcome of my life to that point, and I’m happy to
say I’ve been growing in my faith for 70 years!
|
Currently I’ve
just been through a very trying three years with serious family
illnesses for my two daughters and their husbands, and the prolonged
illness and death of my husband of twenty years. However difficult
these days have been, I have felt fully supported by my faith in
God’s goodness and grace to provide what was needed for each of us. The caring prayers and thoughtfulness of my First Baptist church
family is also much appreciated.
|
I have felt
fully supported
by my faith in God's goodness and grace to provide what was needed. |
Whatever challenging
times there are, life goes on in its “dailyness” --- joys and sorrows. It is
very important to me to believe that I am following God’s plan for my life.
While I am no longer employed, my schedule seems quite full with a variety
of activities directed at improving the quality of life for others. Here at
First Baptist I work with the Weekday Early Education Board, the Journey
Sunday school class, the budget and devotional book committees, and
volunteer with Food Service and two mission trips. In the community I work
with The Shepherd’s Center for older adults, a number of University of
Richmond organizations, the New Dominion School Board, St. Paul’s Lenten
Ministry of Hospitality, and other short term projects.
My relationship
to God is a most important part
of keeping me
going, looking forward, and believing that
life is worth living.
|
My relationship to God is a most important part of keeping me going,
looking forward, and believing that life is worth living. Each day,
I begin and end with a prayer of thanksgiving for the people and
good things that God has put in my life, and ask for grace and
strength for another day that will be pleasing to Him. I believe
that my actions speak much louder and more persuasively than any
words I could say, and I hope that others may see God’s love
motivating my life and choices.
|
|
