This week’s article is a testimony from Jean Gibson.

I am happy to share my testimony, though there’s nothing unusual about it from any Christian.  

I was born in Goochland County on January 4, 1930. I lived between Oilville and Short Pump until I married. My parents began to take me to church when I was a month old. Since I had always heard about Jesus, don’t remember about my life without Him. I loved receiving spiritual food through Sunday School, Missions groups, and BYPU (Training Union) and Bible stories at home. When I was 8 years old, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I felt like I was gliding down the aisle with the wings of an angel.  

I had heard my pastor say so many times that through Jesus all my sins would be forgiven. I couldn’t wait for him to ask me if I believed God would forgive me of my sins and remove them as far as the east was from the west, and bury them in the deepest sea (Psalm 103:10). Joy filled my life, and I felt like a new person inside. When I was 15 years old, I realized and understood I was to make God the Lord of my life as well as my Savior. I’m sure that during my teenage years must have disappointed Him many times, but He always kept me pointed in the right direction. Never once did God disappoint me. During my high school years, I sang in the choir, played the piano, and taught a class called “Junior Girls.” At an Associational Meeting for YWA’s (Young Women’s Auxiliary), after hearing a missionary speak, I committed my life to God to do whatever He wanted me to do. I had always thought I would like to be a missionary in Japan, but never pursued that. I believe God honored my wishes by calling our oldest son to go to Tokyo to teach English in the Lutheran Seminary there for almost four years. God had plans for me that I didn’t know about.  

My mother had the gift of hospitality. Preachers, music directors, missionaries, guest ministers, friends, relatives, neighbors — all were welcome in our home. On this particular Sunday, a ministerial student was sent to supply at our church because we were without a pastor. Of course, my mother invited him to come and have a meal with us. This student was six feet two inches, with eyes of blue, weighing 140 pounds. He drove a 1935 Plymouth with a rumble seat. That’s how it all began. His name? Charles Gibson. That was on October 23, 1950. Eight months later, on June 16, 1951, we were married. My calling was to be a pastor’s wife. Being a pastor’s wife has been rewarding, demanding, at times lonely, exciting, prayerful, and a lot of responsibilities (many not my SPIRITUAL gifts). With the help and support of the Holy Spirit, I tackled most of them, and managed to survive, and I give God the glory!  

When I say “Savior,” He has set me free. When I say “Jesus,” His peace speaks to me. When say “Father,” fear is all gone. When I say “Lord,” there’s a command of obedience. God has taught me forgiveness. As a child, was taught this at home, too.  

My dad’s favorite scripture came from Proverbs 3:5-6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” These verses can be summed up in five words — “let go and let God.”  

I have sought to apply these verses for my life also. In her later years, my mother selected the hymn Because He Lives as a hymn to be sung at her funeral. My dad did the same. The words speak to me also as a summary for my testimony describing how I feel about Him. It goes like this:  

“Because He lives, can face tomorrow; because He lives, all fear is gone; because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living just because He lives.”  

I, too, can face tomorrow because He lives in me. 

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today. 

I know that He is living, whatever men may say. 

I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer. 

And just the time I need Him, He’s always near. 

He lives; He lives; Christ Jesus lives today. 

He walks with me, and talks with me, along Life’s narrow way. 

You ask me how I know He lives-He lives within my heart. 

Thank you for letting me share my testimony today.  

May God bless, Jean Gibson