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16 June 2013

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 BlogFacebookTwitter, 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.

26 comments:

  1. SHARON welcome to OWG, we are delighted to have you on this week. What a wonderful testimony! I'm so glad your prayers were answered concerning your husbands salvation. GOD IS SO GOOD!!

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    1. Thanks for hosting me this week. I look forward to visiting with your readers.

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  2. Thank you for this wonderful post!! Waiting is so hard for me, but God is faithful. I know he will take care of me. Thank you for sharing your testimony. Please enter me in the giveaway. Would love to win and read your book.
    Barbara Thompson
    barbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  3. Thanks so much for sharing from your heart, Sharon! I know there are things in my life that I need to be patient with, and I really appreciate your testimony to the Lord's faithfulness.
    God bless,
    bettimace(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Betti,
      I think patience is a hard fought battle for all of us. We just have to remember that God is always on time.

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  4. I was touched and moved by your personal experience. Thank you.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Mary, Thanks. I think if our experiences can touch someone elses heart, that part of what they are for.

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  5. What a beautiful, sweet, and touching testimony. Thanks for sharing!
    susanlulu@yahoo.com

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  6. What an amazing story! I'm so glad your prayers were answered! shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Veronica, Good to see you here. Yes, God is good!!

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  7. Sending you a warm welcome to OWG as well SHARON! Thanks for sharing your very encouraging testimony... what a rejoicing day that would have been for you and the angels in heaven when your husband finally gave his heart to God.

    That verse of scripture has resonated with me before too - and I've since realized how valuable hope is to people, especially those in depression. Something I always try to impart in those circumstances.
    God bless you!

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    1. Noela, Thanks for having me here. I wouldn't want to live my life without hope.

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  8. Hi SHARON! I can't imagine how difficult those 13 years must have been. I have a family member who is in an unequally yoked marriage and we have been praying for her husband's salvation for 12 yrs now. Your testimony gives hope but most of all encouragement to me to keep praying!

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    1. Anne, Keep praying. Not a single word is in vain.

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  9. SHARON, we are so delighted to have you with us on OWG all this week! I so enjoyed your wonderful testimony---waiting is so hard to do, especially with someone as impatient as this girl! And I'm certain that's why God makes me wait. :) But good things DO come to those who wait!

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    1. Diana, thanks. I'm not a good waiter. I hope that isn't why God made me wait 13 years.

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  10. OOOOOOOOOooooooooooo... Could I have Callie from Sharon, and Terri from you, Carrie???

    Sharon, Thank you for your testimony. Faithful to God. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. Make sure to come by Teresa's reviews all week to up your odds, KATHLEEN! LOL

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    2. Kathleen, I do hope you'll consider reading both books, even if you don't win.

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  11. Great sharing of your testimony Sharon. My husband & I were always both Christian's, before we met and later married, so I don't have that issue, however there have been other things where God has said to WAIT--and I think that is one of the hardest things to do. We are of the age of :I want it, and I want it NOW!" The scripture that I try to remember, that goes along with this is "Be still and KNOW that I am God". How difficult it is to "Be still". We want to make it known very loud what the desires of our heart are. He asks us to tell Him the desires of our heart, but then, often says, "Now be still, & WAIT."
    I would love to win one of these books, so please throw my name in the hat & I will TRY to "Be still". ;-)
    Vicki vmarney(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. Oh I loved hearing about how you waited patiently and God rewarded you with your hubby coming to know Him! How awesome of a reward! Thank you for sharing all that with us. Praying you two continue to grow together in Him!
    Susan P
    farmygirl at hotmail dot com

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    1. Susan, I am amazed every day at what God is doing in my husband's life. More than worth the wait.

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  13. I've never read this author and would love a chance to win!
    I read a TON of Christian fiction. Seriously, I have 310 on my Nook unread, about 35-40 unread in my to read basket and about 10 hidden behind the sofa to read. There are more in my storage building to read. I'm afraid I have a serious problem. NO apologies, though.

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    1. Susan, you sound a lot like me. Good luck!

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