Elana’s Story | Stand at the Crossroads Ministries | Local Partner Spotlight
Elana’s story speaks for itself. No additional words could serve to add any extra meaning to her incredible journey of redemption and healing. But you should know this as you read her story: if you give to the mission and vision of Cedar Creek Church, you’re a part of her story. Your generosity and fervor for kingdom work have made a real difference in the life of a real person walking through real pain. This story, and scores of others like it, are emblematic of the kind of work our local partner, Stand at the Crossroads Ministries, does. And each story could’ve ended very differently if not for the hard work of the staff and volunteers at SATCM, your generosity, and of course, God’s hand in every part of it.
My name is Elana and this is my testimony. I came to My Father’s House on Dec. 13, 2019. Before coming to the doors of SATCM I was broken in so many ways, but most importantly I was spiritually bankrupt. My relationship with God was a one-sided street based solely on my self-will and refusing to surrender it to Him – always wondering why He wasn’t helping me. The irony of it is that He was helping me because He brought me here.
My destructive behaviors and drinking career of many years led me to being locked up, in psych wards and on the streets numerous times. It wasn’t until my marriage fell apart and my husband told me he couldn’t live with me anymore – I had to leave my home. I’m actually grateful for him not enabling me anymore because if I didn’t have to face these consequences, I would have missed out on the journey of where I am today. I had thrown away all of the relationships I had – with God, my husband, family and friends. My life was full of no’s – no home, driver’s license, car, job, money and oftentimes food and shelter. These were the physical things. The unseen things were far more devastating to me because I was listening to Satan’s lies that I was unworthy. I was living on the streets of Aiken – leading an existence of no hope in my life. Through God’s grace, I heard of My Father’s House. I felt pulled here after crying out to God, begging him to save me from the person I had become. I pleaded for him to reach out and grab hold of me. I was now willing to do whatever it took to get out of the misery I was living. Coming to My Father’s House was the new beginning I was praying for. Thank you God!
I dived right into the routine and appreciated our daily devotions that gave me a good shot of God’s Word. “The Word of God is alive and exerts power.” Hebrews 4:12. I turned to reading the Bible more and more – studying on how I could apply it to my life, meditating and reflecting on God’s will for me and the perfect example my savior, Jesus Christ set for me. Through AA and Celebrate Recovery, I immediately became active in my recovery. I got a sponsor, went to meetings and started to work the steps. This laid a solid foundation for me to give me the strength to become the person God created me to be. The strength to repair my relationships in my life that I had damaged and to start over.
After 13 years of no job, at age 52 I started working, got my license, saved up and bought my own car and started repairing my marriage in a short time. My husband saw such a change in me in four months that he asked me if I wanted to come home. I knew I had to work on myself more first, but was visiting him twice a month. But in April 2020, I Iost my husband. He died of a heart attack in his sleep the night before he was to pick me up for a visit. How was I to cope with this? I was truly devastated, but God held me close and I leaned on SATCM for their overflowing love and the words of my sponsor to do the next right thing and trust God. I rest well knowing that my husband got to see the person I was becoming.
What is it like for me today? I am a new woman in Christ, ever-evolving. I am 15 months sober and counting. I have repaired the relationships I have with my family. I’m leaving here fully confident in my new life. I’m moving to the New Bern, NC area through a leap of faith that God is leading me to. I got my own apartment that is close to where my family lives. I am truly thankful to SATCM, Ms. Debbie Lamb and Ms. Linda Anderson and the volunteers and all who donate to this ministry for without you, I wouldn’t be here today. I can testify that SATCM is the key that God uses to unlock the bars that were caging me. Today I am free!
If you enjoyed reading Elana’s story, help us create more stories like hers! If you give to Cedar Creek Church, you’re already helping support this local ministry and many others like it! If you’d like to start giving, visit give.cedarcreekchurch.net. If you’d like to volunteer with Stand at the Crossroads Ministries, consider talking to your HOME Group leader, or reaching out directly to SATCM through their website at crossroadsaiken.com/contact-us.