Candy Gibbs

Continued from My Story | Into the Light

MyStoryWhatKindofLove

Our God is the God of redemption.  He turns every scheme of the enemy on its head and He not only uses it for our good, but for the good of His Kingdom to bless others.  Five years after my choice to abort, the Lord had so changed and strengthened me that I often would share my testimony in churches.  One Sunday morning, Sanctity of Life Sunday to be exact, I was giving my testimony and little did I know that my hero, my husband was in the room.  I met Brian that morning and in a way that only the grace of the Lord could accomplish, he had heard all of the dark and ugly details of my past before we had ever said “hello.”  A beautiful “extra”, as I like to call it…Brian had a son, Tanner.  The “extra” that the Father gave me was that Tanner is the same age to the month of my daughter, Jessica.  I was able to watch a child grow at just the same stages she would have been in.  As my sweet friend, Brenda Trafton, often says, “what kind of love is this?!”

My story came full circle just a year ago.  As I stated in the beginning of the story, I was never a “bad” kid, but I was willing to do anything to fit in.  The most ironic moment of my life came just a few weeks after my abortion.  It was the time of year when high school students vote on “Mr. and Ms.” of their school.  I was nominated for that honor.  I bought a beautiful dress, had my hair and nails done and walked out on the stage.  I looked out on the front row to see my family.  They were the only ones in the room that knew all that I had done and how I had devastated them.  If it is possible to hear the enemy laugh, I can promise you, I heard him that day.  “Look at what you were willing to do for this moment. Was it worth it?  You are used.  You have no future.  But, oh are you popular…Hahahaha”.  At just that moment, the announcement came–I had won.

Twenty-three years had passed since that moment.  I have never entered that auditorium again in all of those years.  I avoided it at all costs.  But in the most gentle and loving way, a way that only He can move, He would not allow me to leave a win on the board for the enemy.  There was still time on the clock, and He had one last play in mind.  I received a phone call informing me that I had been inducted into the Hall of Fame for my high school.  What an honor, so undeserved.  As my sweet friend spoke on the other end of the phone, I began to cry.  I knew I would have to go back through those doors.  I would have to revisit the very stage that symbolized such failure and pain.  My feet would walk the same path that 23 years ago meant victory for the enemy and embarrassment, in my mind, for my Father.  The morning of the ceremony I spent some time driving around the neighborhood near my old high school and remembering.  Remembering my compromise and His faithfulness.  As I pulled in and parked and tried to steady myself to take those difficult steps I heard the Lord say, “I am redeeming this ground and your memory.  With each step this day, you will reclaim ground for my Glory.  Candy, I make all things new and 23 years ago when all you could see was the pain, shame and loss of that moment…I saw today.  I saw the woman you would become.  I win.  Every time.”

What kind of love is this?

To be continued…

My love,

Candy-Sig-300x225

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