by Mary Hunter

I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Psalms 37:25....

Lately, I have been learning that God can use any situation for his glory. I by no means claim to be righteous, I am normally disappointed in myself daily, but I do know that when Jesus lives in our heart, we are made righteous, because when God looks at us he sees his Son. So I whole heartedly believe that verse in Psalms and I recently had an experience that actually proves it.

We received a letter here at The People News a couple of weeks ago that took me back to when I was around 14 years old, at that time I had a friend who boldly stated to me, "When we are older I will come by in my Dodge Viper and visit you while you are working at McDonald's."  She told me this to imply that I would go nowhere in my life and she would be very wealthy.

During that time my parents had just separated for one of the several times of my childhood, however, I have to admit I was starting to get used to the police being called to the domestic disturbance problems at my house, where I would then be forced to choose which parent to stay with (even from 4 or 5 years old I remember having to choose) and I would never know whom to choose; my dad would normally be in tears and my mom would always say, "I am leaving, but I am not leaving without you," so that normally made me feel that I must choose my mom. My parents had several marital problems and would later divorce after I turned 16. (But that's a whole other can of worms.)

It was after I had started 8th grade when my friend made that comment to me, and those words would hang in my mind for years. I attended three different schools my 8th grade year (due to my parents separating) and I really had no direction in my life at that time. I felt very scared about what was going to happen in my home life and, after being moved around so many times that year, my grades were rapidly declining. The friend that made that comment to me always did remarkably well academically and in retrospect, I can see that statement was her way of trying to motivate me to do better.

As we got older we parted ways. I didn't get the prestigious education that she was allotted. I got married to my high school sweetheart after graduating high school, traveled with him in the Navy, and we had the joy of my life, our little girl.

So, recently I became aware that a letter we received here at The People News was from this friend of mine. She was now, after completing her education, and receiving her degree, applying to the same job position that I had actually already filled 2 months prior. Everything inside me wanted to gloat and feel a sense of entitlement in this situation; maybe that I somehow overcame on my own strength obstacles to get here, but I know that honestly, God blessed me.

I have no prior journalism experience, I have no credentials to help me get here. It is just the wonderful Father that I serve that took a little 14 year old girl, who was repeatedly told she would amount to nothing, and for his glory placed me here. I can't help but smile when I am reminded of the different ways God brings His word to pass.

So, if you happen to be going through a rough time, and you do not see a way out, I challenge you to trust God, it will be hard at times, trust is not an easy thing to come by, especially if you have been hurt a lot. However, if you give God a chance, I am learning, He is not willing to let you down. He just loves us too much for that, and with all sincerity I wish this old friend of mine the best and I am sure she will have a very bright future, but I do just want to thank you Lord, for giving me a voice, and thank you for an opportunity to serve you. I pray that I will make you proud, and thank you that You are a Father, who does not forsake His children.

"Let your hopes, not your hurts, shape your future."
Robert H. Schuller