Testimony: April D. Byrd

"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. - Revelations 12:11

My Father was absent and My mother was a drug addict. Growing up was hard and I moved from house to house all my life. I felt like I missed out on a lot of benefits and valuable lessons, because of their absence. Both sides of my family we're poor. I was bullied and made fun of in school, I was called ugly and had low self-esteem. I felt alone, useless and I had no sense of value. I couldn't think of one person in the world who loved me, with all these thoughts of depression going through my mind, I felt like my life was worthless, so I decided to commit suicide. 

One night I was sitting in a closet crying. I was 17 or around that age, My heart was broken and my mind was going crazy with noise detailing all the reasons I shouldn't live, and all the factors that counted me out, but then all of a sudden in the middle of the noise I heard a different voice. it said: "I Love You". Honestly, I was shocked at first, because I knew no one else was in the room, but then I felt relief and new tears started flowing. I recognized the voice and the love that came behind it. God saved my life. I felt such a new, restored essence of life in my spirit and body, my mind was at total peace. 

I started to seek after God more and I found a church home, at Tabernacle Of Peace Ministries under Pastor Jennifer Turner, who also took me in and became a mentor at the time. Life continued to get better and under the ministry, more of God's wisdom came into my heart. Life is still hard, but I realize I'm NOT alone. God is with me and before my absent mother and father, He is the one who gave me LIFE, who knows me truly, and who is with me always. There are still tests, but my testimony along with God's daily love and inspiration continues to save my life.

Things will never be perfect, but as long as we feel the passion and faith of God that captures our spirit and the inspiration that money just can't buy, we have the strength to keep going. 

The greatest lesson I ever learned was to just live one step at a time, in the Breath Of Life (inspiration), that we receive Daily; and keep the spirit of God at the top.

I am thankful that my life was saved, and it can never ever be taken away by lies, because I now know the truth: 

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." -John 10:27-28