Sing in the Closet
by Vonette Bright
**A Widow’s Journal http://retirementwithapurpose.com/lifestories/evsjournal.html
“Count on it: Everyone who had it in for you will end up out in the cold— real losers. Those who worked against you will end up empty -handed— nothing to show for their lives. When you go out looking for your old adversaries you won’t find them— Not a trace of your old enemies, not even a memory. That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you’ “(Isaiah 41:11-13 The Message).
Today, Thelma Wells is a respected speaker and beloved member of the Women of Faith Tour. But her childhood was one ordeal after another. Thelma was born to an unwed mother. Eventually, she came to live with her great grandparents. They took little Thelma to church, where she learned to love the hymns and praise songs. She invited Jesus into her heart at age four.
But when she stayed with her grandmother, Thelma was abused. All day she was locked inside a dark, smelly, insect-infested closet. In spite of her fear, little Thelma spent her time in the closet singing every hymn and praise song she could remember. God received this little girl’s innocent praise. He rewarded it with an abundant life of joy and forgiveness.
Friend, you’re never alone in the closet. God is right there with you.
———————–
God Is Not Through With Me Yet
By Thelma Wells
Multnomah Publishers February 2007
About the Author
This devotional was written by Vonette Bright. Read more about Vonette: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/vonette/
14 Responses to “Sing in the Closet”
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i too have suffered from abuse and now how it is to suffer at the hands of someone you love and should love ypou but you are right when you say God id not through with you yet He has a plan for all of us. my God bless you this day and always
sharon
Hello Ladies it’s been awhile, but God has been most gracious to me. Read this devotion on the 24/9/07 and was I blessed………I’ve come to realise that God uses every thing about us to Glorify His name(Be it good,bad or even Devastating)but it all depends on how we veiw it.For Thelma to write about her past in such a manner shows you how willing to walk with God she was(Walking with God in Agreement brings so much Freedom),and I’ve found this out in my own life.So lets walk in agreement with what God tells us then even our pain will nolonger be a painful memory but a picture of God’s work in our lives and an encouragement to those who find themselves where we were once.Praise God, all my hurt and pain has WORKED OUT FOR MY GOOD.Thank you Jesus!!!!!
Dear sandra, chris, amonica and nancy, my heart goes out to all of you. No one should ever have to go through what you have gone through or are going through. The fact that you are visiting this website and are able to share about what has happened or is happening is a great testimony of God’s great love. This is because you are alive and well this day. It may not seem so, but it is so. God puts tough and difficult things in our lives to mold us, shape us and prepare us for His purposes in our lives.
Have patience and hold on to God’s promises. His time is not our time. Wait on Him, trust in Him, and keep singing whether you are in or out of the closet. A song sung with even the humblest of voices is worth a thousand words spoken. Hugs to all…
“From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” {Psalms 8:2 NIV] Thanking God for Thelma’s great grandparents who introduced her to Jesus and taught her to sing His praises. May we all do the same to all the children in our circle of influence. Let’s make sure that at a young age they become equipped for the spiritual warfare they will face now and in the future. I pray for continual healing of those who were abused in whatever form and the ability to forgive those who were the abusers. May you bring comfort to others because of your past.Chris, God has said that “I am the Lord who heals thee” [Exodus 15:26}. You don't have to pay any one. Read Psalms 103 and 23 daily. To increase your self-esteem find a place to volunteer like a food pantry distribution center or a soup kitchen, or Habitat for Humanity house-building, or offering to help a senior citizen with their grocery shopping or housekeeping, or baby-sitting for a frazzled new mom so she can go to the beauty salon for a couple of hours of rest and pampering. I am a witness that as you do for others you will receive a feeling of blessing that words can not describe.Amonica, I stand with you in prayer. May your husband come to his senses and escape the evil one's snare. May you stay strong in your faith and lean on God for guidance, protection, provision and perseverance. Alwyas remember that "God has said 'Never will I leave you nor forsake you'.[Hebrews 13;5] PEACE/GRACE/MERCY TO YOU ALL TODAY!.
I can’t believe this devotion is about a “closet.” I received a closet story last night, and couldn’t wait to get on line to share (just now found time). My closet story is different, and here it is:
A very close friend, of at least 40 years, called me last night. This friend tells me she is a Christian, but refuses to attend church and makes light of Christian things such as prayer,ETC.. But, I love her and pray for her to put the Lord first in her life. I quote scripture and talk to her as though she is a Christian so that she is hearing the word.
She told me last night that she had something real funny to tell me, and that I would really laugh. She said her feeble minded (mentally challenged) sister in another city called yesterday and asked how I was doing. We went to see this sister in July and I took her some clothes to wear since she only gets a small disability check each month. At that time I told her about my surgery coming up. My friend told her the surgery went well and I was doing good. The sister then said: “Would you please tell June that while I was praying in my closet today, that I remembered her surgery and prayed for her.”
I quickly told my friend that I thought this was more sweet and compassionate than funny. And yesterday I had felt better than Wednesday, and I felt her prayers, and sooooo appreciated them. Which sister is feeble minded?
I went on to explain to my friend that there is a scripture in the bible that says to pray in your closet, and interpretation doesn’t mean that literally, but it isn’t a big deal. The fact is her sister cared and believed enough to pray. I plan on sending her a note to “THANK HER.”
Scripture reading:
Matthew 6:5-6: “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men….when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret….”
The reference to go into thy closet has been translated in other versions of the Bible as “go into your inner room.” “go away by yourself,” “all alone,” “your [most] private room,” “enter into thy chamber,” and “go into your room.”
Sandra, Nancy, Amonica, what sad stories you have to tell. But look where God has brought you. I was number 7 of 10 children. My mother raised 10 children under the age of 10. Yet, she loved us the best she could…THERE WERE NO BEATINGS. My dad was an alcholic, and was abusive at times. I thank God for my mother because I cannot imagine the pain she went through raising us. Nancy, your mother probably did the best she knew how, and you are right to forgive her. This is how I look at my dad, and have forgiven him. I suffered other serious abuse of someone in authority at age 13, but have forgiven him, and thank God that He has removed the guilt and almost the memory from me. PRAISE HIM!!
when I was a child my brothers sisters and me where physically abused by our mother. And at that time I hated my mother. My parents had ten children. My father had to work many hours as a milk man. He would get up early in the morning and get home late at night so we didn’t see much of him so my mother was left taking care of us all. I remember crying to God but I didn’t have a relationship with him. My mother was catholic so we went to a catholic church and after church my mother would take us home and yell and whip us until we were black and blue. My father never went to church with us and I can’t remember him helping my mother with us kids. Now that I am grown I look back and realize that my mother had a lot on her shoulders taking care of ten children. I had three and that was enough for me. I am a born again christian and with Gods help have forgiven my mother. One of my sisters is a born again christian and she too has forgiven my mother but the rest of my brothers ans sisters are not saved and need pray for that and to forgive my mother. Please keep them in your prayers. God bless you for these devotionals.
well, i just found out today that my husband of five years has been cheating on me. possibly there is a an unborn baby involved. the devotion today is right on time with my situation. i praise GOD for loving me so much that he is comforting me through these devotions. i am singing in the closet, and i will continue to sing in the closet.i need everyone’s prayers please. GOD will bring my family through this tragedy and blessing. thank you father god for the outcome. thank you christianwomen.com
My absue was not at home growing up, it was with the relationships I had with men. I always seam to find someone who would talk advantage of in verbely, phylically or emotionly. All would end up telling me I wasn’t good enough, no one would want me. Well, I have showen them all, that they were wrong. I am a good person, I am good enough and wanted. Not only by my family, and my true friends but most of all BY GOD. My faith in GOD has always been there through all the crap I went through over the last 32 years.
Now my self-esteem is a lot better, I know I still have some issues to work on and need to find someone to help me with that who I can afford to pay but the first step is admitting I do need to get that help and I know GOD will be there for me all the way.
Eve,
along with Maia, thanking you for pointing us all to Jeremiah 29:11 this day!
Logged back on to share a wonderful book by Stormie Omartian I read when working in the Christian retail..So many hurting people come in a Christian bookstore “seeking”..We’d read in the Christian Living section to do our best to help guide. This beautiful book by her was so strong and will help anyone whose been in a “closet” or those you’re trying to help lead to healing from one: “Finding Peace for Your Heart”..She relates her childhood closet. It is beautiful, delivering, and healing and felt led of His Spirit to post this. God Bless ALL. Blessed Weekend.
Eve:
What a great verse to remind me this very morning, that though things seem unsure in our mind The Lord speaks to our hearts and DECLARES he is’nt finished with any of us yet, HE has plans for us and HE knows what our futures hold, thank you for reminding me of what the Word says! Hope all have a very blessed day!
i do know this feeling well… while i may not be in a physical closet, i am in a virtual one. Singing praise to our dear Daddy God has kept me sane and alive. Hang in there all who are in ‘the closet’. Believe that no matter how bad things may seem right now, it will all turn out for good. I still hold on tight to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Be strong in Christ and stand firm in faith!!!
Dear Sandra,
You are so special and I “see” that in every comment you leave. Thank you for sharing this and it is a “testimony” just like the one Vonette wrote about Thelma Wells..Both of you understood the mighty power of Praise at such a young age and teach others with this sharing today, too! Praying blessings to overflowing for a precious Sister in Him! And thank you, Dear Lord, for nestling us under your protective wings. Amen.
Definately a testimony of Gods Wonderful Love for his children, What the devil meant for bad, God worked it out for Good, and can use any one of us, no matter how broken we are, and that he can heal the wounds of our past and use us to help others who have also suffered.
Bought a memory to me as I envisioned this little girl, of me when I was a little girl as well, when i would sit on the curb crying asking God to stop the fighting, (my parents would be fighting) then i remember once i would get inside, climb under my covers and i would sing, and rock in my bed till i would fall asleep.
Realizing how he was right there with me, even when i felt so alone then.
Thank You so much Lord!
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