Experiencing the Love of Calvary

By Kathy Garner - September 2007

Okay, what flooded my heart is contained in the rest of this testimony. I'm hopeful, now that I've started writing, that God will help clear my mind and help me to communicate. But, I think the previous paragraphs just about summed it up.  

When I first walked in Calvary 11 years ago, I knew I was home. This was prior to the big battle and severity of aggression ahead with the Crohn’s and Rheumatoid Arthritis. I had been attending Woods Edge in the Woodlands for several years prior to visiting Calvary . I drove out there every weekend to go with friends; but I live only 5 minutes from Calvary .  

Bryan Barrows introduced me to Calvary. That man is like a brother to me, and if for nothing else, I'm forever grateful to him for that introduction.  

I had attended several services for about a year on and off prior to joining. I saw the love that Steve was talking about yesterday. I felt the Lord's presence strongly. I saw the fruit of the Spirit at Calvary . That's when I thought about joining. I had never considered joining a church before. For the first time, I understood what it meant to sow seed into good ground. So, as a visitor, I started tithing to “test” the soil.  

Not long after deciding to join, I was in the emergency room with a Crohn’s attack and almost lost the battle that day. I had a very strong sense of God’s Spirit with me also. I was told by my doctors, during that hospital stay, that I had to leave “Corporate America,” or it was going to kill me.  

I was devastated. I identified myself so much by my accomplishments. God was definitely using this to change my direction. It was a classic Romans 8:28 situation. He had me right where he wanted me: at home and in the fold of Calvary .  

After one applies, there is a six month waiting period to determine eligibility for social security disability. All of my doctors came through with the paperwork quickly, understanding that their time was definitely my money. In the meantime, I didn't have an income and I had a mortgage and major medical bills.  

Within a couple of weeks of being at home, a check came in my mail from my insurance company for an “over payment.” It was a pretty large sum. Then another came a week later for an even greater amount. The two combined amounted to a hundred-fold return on my tithe. It was just enough to get me through the next six months before the social security disability kicked in.  

I can see such a pattern with all of this, but it's so intertwined. It's as if it's a cob web. It's definitely a pattern, but not what I would have chosen. I am so grateful though. I am alive. I do have my home business. I am able to be more active in my own community with its needs. I've been able to mentor the coolest kid in fifth grade. We’ve been meeting since she was in the second grade. I now have new family and friends. These are ALL God’s accomplishments and I'M SO GRATEFUL. That's why I can smile even on the bad days.  

Kathy R. Garner, GARNER Media

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