Sharon Srock's Testimony by Carrie Pagels

This week we welcome author Sharon Srock to Overcoming With God. Sharon was gracious enough to share her testimony of Overcoming with us today.

My testimony is about waiting. Waiting for God’s will and His timing when you can’t see the end. God rewards waiting.

My husband and I have been married for almost eighteen years. A second time for both of us.

My parents raised me in church, attending service three and sometimes four times a week. I've known the love of Christ in my life for as long as I can remember. I haven't always been an obedient child, but I've always been loved.

My husband’s experience was pretty much the opposite of mine. As a child, his family attended on special occasions. As an adult, he continued to attend sporadically, but with no real dedication. By the time we married, he wasn't attending at all. I won’t go into all the reasons a believer shouldn't marry an unbeliever. All I'll say is that the heart will override the head at every opportunity.

We had an agreement before we married. He would not stand in the way of my attendance, and I would not “nag” him about going with me. And thus, the battle for his soul began.

For thirteen years I attended church on Sunday, morning and evening, mostly by myself. He came on occasion. He made friends. He came to love and respect my pastor. Through those endless years, I prayed for his salvation every day, I answered his questions as he asked them, and I waited, wondering if God was ever going to grant my request.

One summer morning, five years ago, He did. On a warm Sunday morning in July, my husband took my hand in his and made the first steps in his private relationship with Christ. The change in his life has been amazing. Is our life perfect? NO. Do we still disagree? YES. But the difference is the foundation of love and peace that continues to be built with every day that passes. Five years after the answer to my prayers there are still times I look at my husband and wonder who this man is. He looks so much like the man I married but acts so little like him. 

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

I read the Bible through every year, but it wasn't until after my husband accepted Christ that this verse smacked me between the eyes. I’m convinced that the reason I never saw it before was because I was so lost in the waiting. I couldn't see the hope being offered while I was “heart sick”. I read it, but didn't GET IT. But once God planted that tree of life in my marriage it made sense. It’s been my verse of promise ever since.

Are you waiting for something from God? Wait patiently. There’s a tree of life in your future.

Sharon Srock lives with her husband, Larry, and two dogs in Rural Oklahoma. She is a mother, grandmother, and Sunday School teacher. Sharon has one and three-quarters jobs and writes in her spare time. Her favorite hobby is traveling with her grandchildren. She is a member of the ACFW and currently serves as treasurer for her local chapter. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Sharon’s debut novel, The Women of Valley View: Callie released in October 2012.

The second in the series, The Women of Valley View: Terri released in April 2013.

Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.

Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who’s befriended her granddaughter but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.

Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.

Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing.  And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.

For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need.

Connect with Sharon here: Sharon's Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads.

GIVEAWAY: We are giving away two copies of Sharon's books this week, OWG is giving one and Sharon has offered one also. Please leave a comment and your email address.