MY LIFE...

MY LIFE

Photographed at Botanic Gardens
in Washington, DC

Photo compliments of Sandra
Copyright 2010/11

Portions of my testimony:

Deep gratitude is extended to our Lord for how He has kept us, taught us, and loved us in spite of ourselves.  High and mighty praises to His glorious and abiding name!

For those who don’t know me, the content below is some of my testimony.

Sandra Renee Hicks was born in Washington, D.C.  Her parents, both of whom became Christians, were Helen Marie and Robert.  She is the youngest of four children born to Helen.  Sandra is the product of an extra-marital affair.  Both of her parents were married non-Christians when Sandra was conceived.  God in his mercy later saved and sanctified both Helen and Robert.  Helen went to be with the Lord first followed many years later by Robert.

Sandra spent much of her youth in church with her mother who was a woman who came to truly love the Lord.  Helen demonstrated the godly example of a true Christian, and had Sandra in church regularly.  When Helen became too ill to reasonably tend to her, Sandra became wayward.  As a teenager, Sandra was rebellious and foolish in much of her conduct.  She rejected school, indulged in drug use, and frequently disobeyed her mother.  Helen went to be with the Lord during the period of Sandra’s rebellion.  The death of her mother when Sandra was a teenager jolted her into a measure of reform. 

Sandra:

- had an alcoholic step-father.

- used heroin - about two years later, quit drug use.  Sandra didn’t become a heroin addict; others that she knows did become addicted to it.

- dropped out of school in the eighth grade (later obtained a GED while working in government.)

- married her boyfriend who she met when she was about fourteen years old.  They were a couple off and on for years.  He was in and out of jail.  They married when Sandra was nineteen.  He later became a drug addict, drug dealer, and pimped one woman.  Sandra got saved while married to him.  She stayed married to him (about two years) until the Lord released her to divorce, based on adultery.

- lived in two homeless shelters (years apart - about eight months each time).  The second homeless shelter had a section that was converted from a hospital ward (Sandra was born in the subject hospital.)  One day she was sitting in the hallway in that shelter and noticed an OB-GYN sign on the wall.  The Lord had allowed Sandra to return to her roots.  Sandra was born in the very building where she had come to reside as a shelter resident!  When she saw that sign, she  laughed.

- returned to a sinful lifestyle.  At one point, Sandra moved in with a man; here he’ll be called Tony.  For about five years, it was, overall, pleasurable (sin has pleasure for a season - Hebrews 11:25).  It began to decline about the sixth year.  Tony then told Sandra that he wasn’t feeling her anymore.  He suggested that she move out and that perhaps separation would lead to them getting back together at some point.  Sandra was leaning towards returning to our Lord but she wanted the Lord AND Tony.  That wasn’t GOD’s plan.  Sandra stubbornly refused to move on.  About the seventh year, Tony moved from living with Sandra; He moved in with a woman who lived in the building next door (she had only lived in the neighborhood for months....)  You know that Sandra was heartbroken.

The Lord allowed division in Tony and the woman’s relationship.  Tony lived with her for only about three months.  Among other things, he discovered that she was a crack addict who prostituted for money to feed her habit. Tony left her.

- was unjustifiably terminated from a government job.  About four years later, the Lord judged the man who was most closely responsible for removing Sandra.  The subject man was on the local news program for being in a sexual relationship with a fellow government worker who was married.  They both worked for D.C. government but in different agencies.  Sexually explicit e-mails were found on their computers.  The subject man got fired.  GOD judged others who were responsible for Sandra’s wrong dismissal.  Another one got fired for not exposing his past criminal history.

No shame in Sandra’s game.  Hallelujah Anyhow!  We're all a product of our environments and experiences.  Sandra is grateful for her challenges; our Lord used them to mold her into the fire lion warrior for Him that she has become.  And He uses what we've all experienced to advance His kingdom, and to help ourselves, as well as others.

We all have our testimonies.  GOD is eternally faithful.  Bless His holy marvelous name.  Heart rejoicing and grateful praises to the One who owns the air, good GOD Almighty!  Immense gratitude for Jesus, the Author of salvation, Lord and Saviour, the Son of the GOD of truth. 

Tribute to My Mother 

My mother is with the Lord now – Hallelujah! She graduated from earth when I was a teenager.

I am the youngest of four children. Briefly, I will express some about my mother before Christ in her life. I am the product of an extramarital affair. My father, Bob, was married as was my mother.

But I was never illegitimate because before the foundation of the world, the Lord knew me. When the Lord was ready, He saved my mother and my father. They both are now with our Lord.

My brother called my mother a show stopper. He shared with me that, because of her presence and her outward beauty, when she would step in places, the “show” would stop – thus his name for her, “show stopper.”

I never recall any arrogance being demonstrated by my mother. That gives me even more appreciation for her character.

Before Christ, we all did things of which we are not proud. My mother is no exception. The focus of this piece is not about before Christ conduct. This tribute is primarily a celebration about the love from my mother, and for the life that she lived after she was drawn by GOD into salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of the GOD of truth.  I stress, though, that even before then, I was absolutely confident about love from my mother. I am sure that my siblings believe the same.

Several childhood memories about my mother are stand outs in my heart. She was in so many ways, love in action. For years she was a housewife. It was a solid pleasure to have the presence of my mother when I returned home from school. A flood of gratitude comes to mind for her choice to be home for her children. Words cannot adequately convey how meaningful it was to have her as a steady constant.

I recollect one day of snowfall when I was in class in elementary school. My mother entered the classroom and told the teacher that she had come to bring me some soup. I felt such warmth and joy from that loving gesture. Years later, when I think of that, tears have come to my eyes.

One evening, when I was a teenager, I didn't return home when I should have. I was with a teenage boyfriend. The next thing I knew, my mother came down the street, with determined purpose, to get her daughter! She humiliated me in front of my friends. The following day, I was teased about my mother coming out to get me. Today, the memory brings forth appreciation for how she loved and disciplined me. Another teenage episode involved me getting injured while on a group bus trip in New York City. The injury was NOT to the extent that I couldn't have rode back home on the bus. Mama chose to drive to New York from Washington, D.C. to bring me home. The memory of that is indeed precious!

Once when in elementary school, I mentioned something about the devil to my teacher. I cannot recall the context. What I do recall is that the teacher rebuked me. I told my mother. At this juncture in life, she had  Christ as Lord. Mama came to the school and politely but firmly told my teacher not to discourage me about God issues (that was the gist of what she expressed).

I am thrilled to know that my mother had inner beauty which far outweighs any outward appearances. She was a woman who freely gave love. She generously shared JESUS, and sincerely loved the Lord.

I thank Almighty GOD for the mother that He gave me, and for the many other mothers who are precious jewels in the lives of their children.

Sandra
Wednesday October 20, 2010

© Copyright 2010

Information about Sandra's Most Recent Job "In the System"

Sandra was a Customer Service Specialist where she received from D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams, a “Customer Service Excellence Award.” Sandra was “released” from that job because she elected to report managerial malfeasance. They “killed” the messenger (Sandra) rather than deal with the managerial misconduct. A couple of years later, the subject manager was publicly exposed on cable TV by employees who reported to the D.C. Council about some of the very same things that Sandra had reported. Other incidents occurred to publicly expose the character of that manager.

Prior to her release from the subject job, the Lord told Sandra to go to the subject manager to seek forgiveness for anything that she may have done wrong relative to the manager. The Lord did not reveal to Sandra anything specific that she (Sandra) had done. He simply told her to go to seek forgiveness for anything that she may have done. The manager did not respond to Sandra’s request for forgiveness. The Lord assured Sandra that she was not responsible for how the manager responded. Sandra’s role was to seek forgiveness, which she did.

Initially, Sandra was hurt, angry and fearful about her job loss. She was even angry at the Lord for allowing it to occur – He knew that she was not justifiably dismissed from her job. She had worked there for more than five years and except for her first year there ("Satisfactory" performance evaluation), she received “Excellent” performance evaluations as well as numerous commendations from management, and from some citizens. Even the mayor gave her recognition for her work ethic. In spite of all that, Sandra was given a “form” letter that said, in essence, that her services were no longer needed.

It was months before Sandra could muster forgiveness for those who had dismissed her. Day by day, the Lord helped Sandra to heal. It was a long painful process but GOD is faithful. He restored her joy, peace and confidence. GOD taught Sandra how to be in love with Him. Before the job difficulty, Sandra loved the Lord but afterwards, she learned to be in love with Him. That happened because He healed her wounds and proved that He is a promise keeper. Yes, the process was deeply painful. Hallelujah that GOD kept Sandra in His awesome embrace.

Bonus in Pink

Job 11:15-19

For then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot; yea, thou shalt be stedfast, and shalt not fear:

Because thou shalt forget thy misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

And thou shalt be secure, because there is hope; yea, thou shat take thy rest in safety.

Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid;… 

Preface to Bonus in Pink

Some years ago, I was given a "pink slip bonus" - translation: I was out of a job.  To say that it traumatized me is an understatement.

Today, though, what I can truly say is that it was one of the best things that happened to me because, through it all, our Lord repeatedly proved to me that He was/is at the helm.  I cannot find adequate words to describe how hugely GOD proved Himself to me through the pain of that trauma.  Tears of gratitude well in my eyes now as I write this because I remember how low I was, and now how high, in Him, I have become. In sum, our Lord made the pink slip a bonus for me. Only GOD can do such transformations.  Glory to His awesome name.

Today Wednesday December 22, 2010, our Lord led me to write the piece below for others who have endured job losses.  I used "I" and "me" in the piece below because it makes it more personal for those who personally relate.

Bonus in Pink:

GOD is our SOURCE, and PROVIDER. I am the recipient of a "pink slip bonus."  Truly, it is a GOD-sent promotion.  He needs me to move on to deeper levels and higher heights in Him.  Blessed assurances are what our Lord provides so bountifully. He takes such great care of us, his sheep.  How wondrous GOD is. He knew about my "pink slip bonus" before the words reached me. Indeed, He is our advance coverage.  In so many ways, our Lord covers us under the shadow of His wings.

By faith, I am fully persuaded that GOD has specific and precise plans for me.  My present place allows me a "season" to reflect, to re-evaluate, and to sit at the Master's feet to drink more of the living waters that He has so plentifully provided for me.

Yes, GOD knows that I have some pain and regret, but in Psalm 23:6 it says, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me..."  My feet are on the ROCK, and healing is guaranteed by the Highest promise keeper.  GOD'S Word assures in Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles;..."

My Lord beckoned, "Come away, My beloved.  Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.  For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone;"

I'm out - - pink no more - rather:

RED DRENCHED - in the precious blood of my beloved SAVIOR, JESUS, who certainly will make me free, content, secure, and full of His Spirit - prepared to advance His glorious kingdom.

Daniel 7:27 
And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.

Below are other scriptures relative to this piece.

Psalm 91
Psalm 23
2 Samuel 23:3
Isaiah 40
Romans 4:21
Song of Solomon 2: 10, 11