Testimony of Johnny Lee

Given during December 28, 2004 Worship Service

Hello, my name is Johnny Lee. My wife Susie and I have been attending Southern Gables for almost two years now. This is our church home -- I thank God and all of you for making it that to my family and me.

I was raised in a Christian home and baptized when I was 10 years old. I felt very connected with our church and with my friends there at that time. During high school and college, God and His church were not a big part of my life; I didn't want to make room for living like a Christian.

In my late 20's, I got married in Seattle. I felt a pull at that time to get more involved with the church. I think in the back of my mind I always believed this was the time to start taking life more seriously. I was married for two years and my wife wanted out of the marriage. It was the hardest thing I had ever gone through emotionally. I felt betrayed -- like I didn't know who I was.

I found myself in churches a lot during that time, various churches at odd hours when no one else was there. I would read the same verse over and over again.

"Trust in the Lord with all of your heart"
"Trust in the Lord with all of you heart"

I was looking for comfort and I was looking for acceptance from God. Emotionally I felt like I was sinking in mud. God stepped in at that time -- it was like he placed a concrete floor beneath me. It was like he said, "That's enough son, I won't let you go any lower." This floor was not something I had asked for at the time or even wanted. The mud was comforting and familiar to me. God intervened in my life - it was a miracle. He had taken an interest in me personally. I felt the importance of what he had done and I trusted in Him deeply. It is amazing to me that through that time I not only got closer to God, but also my belief in marriage grew stronger. My plans for my life had been derailed and I was trusting in God more completely than I ever had.

At this time I got licensed as an architect, packed up a red truck and moved back to Colorado. I bought a yellow house in Denver, started working for my father. It was a time of rebuilding who I was.

I became reacquainted with old friends and with a girl named Susie that I went to high school with. We started spending a lot of time together. She was a strong Christian; she enjoyed praying and was a beautiful person inside and out. Before long I fell head over heels in love with her. We got married and had a son whom we named Nathanael. It is through our marriage and through her love for me that I have come to understand grace and forgiveness.

We were going to a church in Boulder but wanted to find something closer. We were praying for a church where we could get involved and feel a part of. We were looking for a church home. God answered our prayers with this church.

It is through the broken times in my life that I am able to see my blessings for what they truly are - gifts from God.