‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭39‬, ‭42‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

You can read the full passage of today’s scripture reading, John 4:39-42 NIV. This week we have been sharing the story of The Woman at the Well from John, chapter 4. Today I want to share my personal testimony.

Years ago I listened to a United Methodist podcast featuring J. Brent Bill, the author of Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker. He said that our testimony is belief translated into action, not so much our personal stories rather a statement of how we should live our faith. While I do believe this is true, I also believe in sharing your personal testimony. Mark Batterson, in his book IF, writes “Our testimony is our secret weapon. Of course, you can’t keep it a secret. It’s the way we share the win with others and overcome the enemy.” Therefore, I feel the need to tell you my testimony. 

Both my parents did not grow up in Christian homes so unfortunately I do not have a family with a long legacy of faith. I was born in California on March 3, 1981, and not long after I was born, there was an earthquake. My parents always joked that I was stating my presence in the world. Look out, Julie has arrived. Although my parents were not Christians they still made the commitment to have me baptized within the first month of birth. Go God!!  We moved a few times from California to Illinois and from Illinois to Pennsylvania. Not long after we moved to Pennsylvania my family experienced a life-changing event, at least in the eyes of a 6-year-old it was life changing. For about six long months my Dad decided he did not want to be a family anymore. It was a very painful experience for all of us. But my mom did something incredible, when my dad returned she forgave him. I did not truly appreciate this until I became an adult and married myself. Just a few years ago I was able to write my parents a thank you note. One to my mom for teaching me the act of forgiveness and one to my Dad for teaching me that you can right your wrongs. 

For many years we lived in unhealthy relationships. We went through counseling and my mom desperately wanted something more for her family and committed to have us all in church. Although my Dad sat in the pew he did not get saved until after I was married. My parents liked to socially drink and always had alcohol in the house. At 12 years old I had an injury on my horse and was unable to ride for months. I started hanging around the wrong crowd and making bad choices. I would drink my parent’s alcohol and would steal alcohol from the family that I babysat for who also happened to be my horse trainers. At my 13th birthday party I decided it would be fun to mix hard liquor and overdosed. When I got to the hospital the doctors had my stomach pumped. My alcohol level was so high I should have died. I was immediately sent to a Mental Health institution for 2 weeks and then to a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for 6 weeks. I was so mad and had so much hate toward my parents. I did not think I had a problem, I just had bad luck. About half way through my recovery I started to change and realized week after week when my parents would come visit me that they truly wanted the best for me. I returned home to an alcohol-free home. My parents realized my choices were a reflection of their choices. My mom and I attended Alcohol Anonymous classes where we recited the serenity prayer together a thousand times: 

Dear God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

Still one of my favorite prayers today. At 15 I had a chance for a fresh start when we moved from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. I quickly made new friends by joining the tennis team but unfortunately still managed to fall into the party scene. Remember, I did not think I had a problem so going to parties and hanging out with friends who drank should not mold my decisions. But I wasn’t strong enough to say no to temptation and started drinking again. I could never just have one, if I was going to drink I was going to get drunk. 

My sophomore year I started dating the son of a Church of God minister. Go God! However, at the time he was living a sinful life as well. We started attending his church as a family, never missing a service or a youth group outing. It wasn’t long into our relationship, he decided to rededicate his life to Christ and gave me the ultimatum to do the same. So I committed my life to Christ but for the wrong reasons. It wasn’t long and we broke up, however I stayed strong and found my own relationship with Christ. Go God!! If it wasn’t for this relationship I would not have met my husband, Hollie. Ever heard the song, “Unanswered Prayers”? That break-up was an unanswered prayer. 

As of today, I have not had a drink of alcohol since I was 17 years old (I am now 44). I don’t ever want to find out if I am truly an alcoholic or had just made bad choices. Although relaxing at home with a glass of wine sounds nice, I know as an adult I have addictive tendencies. My name is Julie Wicker and I am addicted to coffee. Of course my husband and my children play a big role in this too, I want to continue to leave the legacy my parents have left for me. When my children were 8 my relationship with Christ changed drastically for the better. I have never been a reader but was given the book Redeeming Love, not a beginner’s book but rather a 500-page novel. I could not put it down and read it in less than a week. I have been reading ever since. I can’t get enough of Christ. Go God!! I am now standing on the promise from Philippians 1:6 – He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 

Believing in John Wesley’s style, that the life of faith is a journey, we don’t ever fully arrive. I will end this week with a series of questions. Mark Batterson asks in his IF book: “What if everything in your past is God’s way of preparing you for something in your future?” If the answer for me is Yes, I have Godly confidence there will be more earthquakes to come. Look out world, Julie has not fully arrived. You too can receive God’s redeeming love through His son Jesus Christ (John 14:6). Have you ever written your testimony? I encourage you to list five bullet points to get started.

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