Why I love Free Life –Peggy Sims

     I lived in Birmingham, Alabama most of my life where I was a member of Cathedral of the Cross Church.  I moved to Boaz, Alabama in 1999.  My first priority was to find a Bible believing, God-loving church.  After 2 years of much prayer and visiting many churches I was inspired by a young man who frequented my office.  One day I asked him if he knew of a Bible believing, Spirit filled, God-loving church.  He smiled and said, “yes ma’am I do, do you have a pen and paper that I could write on?”  I responded to his request and watched as he wrote the following on the paper: Free Life Worship Center, 838 church street, Sardis City, phone# 593-9633, Pastor Jeff Stanford.  I couldn’t see the last line that he wrote, but when he handed me the paper, I read it.  It simply said; The Church Love Is Building.  He gave me directions to the church and the following Sunday as I approached the entrance of the church a gentle familiar greeting said, “come in, welcome to Free Life.”  I immediately felt welcome.  I discovered that it doesn’t take much, just a grain of faith to enter God’s house.  As I sat there my attention was turned to a lady on the front pew that smiled, laughed and clapped her hands during the entire service.  When the service was over, she came to me with a gracious smile, gave me a hearty welcome and invited me back.  I wanted to get to know her.  The only way to really get to know someone is to just hang out with them and spend time talking, laughing, crying or just sharing a meal.  Just being together builds a friendship that will last a lifetime.  And to this day (outside my church family) she is my best friend on Sand Mountain.  As I drove away from the church teary eyed, I knew that God had answered my prayers and that He has a special place for each of us in His family.  I had just received a welcome and love at Free Life that encouraged me to take a refreshing look at my Father’s heart toward me.  I discovered a love in that church that surpasses the understanding.  A love that would guide the rest of my journey home.  A love you will want to share with your family and friends who are longing for a touch from the Father.  An endless pursuit of love that we look for everywhere, in our homes, families, friendships, relationships, marriages and religion.  I had finally found a church home until God calls me to my Heavenly home.  So, in 2002 I became a member of the Free Life family.

     I am 77 years old and I was never woman of the year, but I’ve always been a woman who fears God.  I never abandoned my children or kept them from God’s house.  One of the finest honors in the world is being a mother.  I always thought that I had the value and inner strength to hold my family together.  My top priority was always God, my children, my grandchildren and my family.  I always wanted to be spiritually and morally strong for them.  But, due to some family circumstances my life here on earth has been very troubled, and only God knows the pain.

     On December 25th, 2003 with a life filled with family, a home, a good job, friends, possessions and money, I was suddenly assaulted on every side, devastated and stripped down to my foundation.  One phone call and thirty minutes later, I learned that my very own child had taken my entire life’s savings and my monetary inheritance that I received from my deceased parents.  Two months later, my precious dog died.  I found myself in the process of losing two homes, lost my job, lost the presence of my son and two grandchildren, and almost lost my car and my health.  Circumstances said that I wouldn’t make it, but with the help of my Pastor, Jeff Stanford, and my church family at Free Life I experienced a faith in God that I endured, and it taught me, like Job, that when all is gone but God, He is enough.  Through tests and trials our part is simply to remain faithful because God expects us to express our faith to the world.  God is a God of restoration.  He has restored my health, and my sister in Christ at Free Life, helped me find a home, She and her husband, with all their talents totally restored my home inside.  My home is under a reverse mortgage.  God owns everything I possess and I may leave this world in poverty, because God doesn’t promise us tomorrow, but He does promise us eternity and a home in Heaven — Praise His name!

     Thanks to my Pastor, his family and my church family, seemingly my life was now back on track.  But once again in 2005 satan attempted to drive a wedge between me and God.  I was stricken with a health problem.  My doctor in Birmingham, Alabama told me that I would have to have a serious operation and he couldn’t assure me of complete success.  My response to my doctor was, “I know a man who can.”  Once again, my faithful Pastor and my best friend and her husband escorted me to the Birmingham hospital and remained with me throughout a complete and successful serious surgery.  Satan had lost another battle.  We must not fear satan’s attacks because satan cannot exceed the limits that God sets.  We must remember that this life, with all its pain, is not our final destiny.  Once we lose the will to fight, we are defeated.  It is not the way we start — it’s the way we finish!  It’s not how long we live, but how we live our life.

     How wonderful it is to know that no matter what has happened to you, your Heavenly Father has made a way home for you.  All you have to do is hear His call.  Come and visit with us at Free Life and see for yourself.  I guarantee that you will leave different from when you came.  You will experience a church that love is building by Loving God, Loving Others and Serving the World.  And this is just some of the reasons why I love my church –FLWC.

     Thank you Pastor Jeff, Joy, Raven & Matt, Robin, Pat & Izabella and my church family for all your prayers, your love, concern and faithfulness!  I shall never forget you!

Love and Prayers,

Peggy Sims

5-16-10

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