On Holy Ground - Pastor Patricia Tefft

On Holy Ground…

Contributor: Pastor Patricia Tefft

Mancelona House of Prayer

When just a young girl- my little body was broken, twisted, torn, and near death from being traumatized in a terrible accident: God arose as my Deliver with healing in His Wings to restore my life… And now I am called to speak His healing, restoration, and life to you.

When I grew up struggling in confusion, lost in fear, and aching in turmoil because of violent alcoholism in my home: He was my Heavenly Father, who set my feet upon the Solid Rock… And now I am broken with awe by His unfailing and everlasting love.

When I groveled on the ground in sin- gripped in the bondage of being a drunken alcoholic lush and an empty shell of a drug addict: The precious Holy Spirit of God- was my healer, my hope, and my song… And now my hunger and thirst is to long only for more of Him.

When I foolishly played with demonic powers by practicing witchcraft and was deeply involved in the dangerous evils of the occult: Jesus was the way, the truth, and the life… And now I humbly live in His finished work to arise triumphant over the entire kingdom of darkness.

When my body was ravaged and raped- and I was declared unclean because the inmost part of my womanhood was defiled: He was my healing Balm of Gilead- who bound up and cleansed the infected wounds of my shattered, crushed, and fragmented soul with His fresh oil anointing… And now I rest in Him as he completes me with his pure joy, fragrant holiness, and perfect peace.

When I prostituted my femininity to the core with a hardened, cold indifference- I gave my body and sold my soul to any who would have me: My Redeemer restored my virginity and sanctified my heart with the price of His own blood… And now I am His beauty- the daughter of a King.

When I experienced the tragedy of abortion- choosing the death sentence for the innocent babes whose hearts thrived within my womb: The Lord was my sweet forgiveness- as I grieved in deep repentance when He showed me that each precious one was held safe in His bosom, that each one had forgiven me, and that I would know their faces when I entered the gates of Heaven… And now I know their names: Rachel Rose, Crystal Grace, Samuel Abraham, and Anna Joy.

When I was under a desperately black depression and saw dying as my only answer because I could no longer endure the agony of living: He…the very Breath of God, infused my entire being with His Eternal Life… And now I am birthed anew in His light and brilliant with His glory.

When the man that I loved told me that I was ugly, that he never did love me, and that no one would ever want me: My Lord of all Creation- showed me that I was the apple of His eye, made in His image, and that I was His cherished beloved…

I was overshadowed by His Holy Presence and fell prostrate on my face at His altar… And now my whole being passionately belongs to Him.

When that man betrayed me in the arms of another woman and I was left sobbing on the floor all alone- to feel forever forsaken: The Bridegroom engraved me in the palm of his hand, gave me a new name, and entered right into the core depths of my wounded soul with the power of his love to whisper that I really was a significant and worthy part of the sanctified church- His radiant Bride… And now He is my first love.

When as an overwhelmed single mother- I went without, and struggled in hardship and poverty to raise my two sons up to be Godly men: My Lord said he was a Defender of the widow and a Father to the fatherless… And now we are secured in our Abba Daddy’s strong arms.

When I suffered from an eating disorder- trying to silence the voice of weeping pain in my hollowed-out soul by stuffing the empty hole numb with food: My Bread of Life taught me to eat free from His Tree of Life… And now I sit at His banquet table to feast on His Word- bannered over by His Holy Love.

When my heart was stricken with intense grief, and I wailed in sorrowful lament- because both my parents had died and I was an orphan: The One who ransoms adopted me… And now He has turned my mourning into dancing with Him- abandoned in the fullness of His joy.

When I hit bottom- destitute as a kicked dog with its tail between its legs as I walked out the door of my foreclosed home of 21 years: He was my Jehovah Jireh, my Provider… And now my Glory and the Lifter of my head prepares a place for me with a future and a hope.

When I was despondent in the pit of deep despair- my whole life was almost destroyed by the enemy because of a total financial disaster: My Teacher taught me how to trust and obey in His wisdom principles… And now I find life abundant at His feet in praise, adoration, and worship.

When I lost everything… all of my dignity, all of my hope, all of my strength, all of my friends, and all of my dreams… feeling naked and ashamed… with a slandered name and a ruined reputation- I was falsely accused, exposed, defenseless, and alone-I fell facedown anguished into the darkest night of my soul… As my carnal flesh was crucified with Him on that cruel cross of death. He then showed me how to count all things lost for the intimacy of knowing Him as Holy Love- so that I would be set free, indeed!

Then my Amazing Grace poured rivers of His living water into me-

So that I would experience His exquisite peace, His full joy, and His pure love.

And now I know that I know that I am His and He is mine…

As I come up higher to dance with Him to the rhythm of authentic heart-to-heart fellowship

Through a life of His power and beauty in Heavens Rehearsal… all in preparation for that Wedding Supper of the Lamb!

And now I cannot help but overflow with the Glory of His Presence… for you, His dearly Beloved!

Making it all, every single thing that has happened, worth going through.

And now I, the Reverend Patricia Ann Tefft… am standing “On Holy Ground.”