Testimonies
Journey to the Heart has radically changed my life; more than I have hoped or dreamed before I came.
Since coming home from my Journey to the Heart, I have had such a joy for living that people have remarked on my countenance, inner peace, and speech. I don’t even feel like getting hurt or angry, and I cannot keep from telling everyone about my amazing relationship with the Lord. I am completely thrilled about whatever He has in store for me, and that is so different from the way I was before I came.
Before my Journey, I had serious problems in my relationships with my father, my sisters, and my authorities. My father has not really been an influential part of my life, and I was always very bitter about that. I would tell myself lies like, “I’m just a mamma’s girl”, or “Even if he was here, he would just be getting angry and making everyone upset.” I shut my father completely out of my life and thought I was happy about that, but I would almost start crying every time I would hear, read, see, or think about good father-daughter relationships.
The day I was to leave Augusta for the Journey to the Heart, my mom was not able to take me to the airport. My dad had to take time off from work and take me, and I was a little miffed at this because these times always wound up being stiff and silent. I didn’t expect anything different. When we parked at the airport, I started to get out of the car. “Wait a minute, Gracie. There’s something I want to talk to you about.” I looked at my dad, and then rolled my eyes to myself. In the past, every time my dad had “something to talk about,” it was always something about my dress, my school, my friends, or some other awkward criticism.
As I looked at my dad, slowly putting up a wall around myself, I saw him begin to break down. I had seen my dad cry before, but only when he had confessed some sin and then again after the ATI Fathers’ Conference. He looked at me, and said words I thought I would never hear. “Gracie, I feel like I have not been a part of your life. I look back on the years, and I see so many opportunities that I have lost. I want to apologize for that and start over.” I sat back in my seat, reeling inwardly. This was an apology I thought that I would never get. I told him that I forgave him, and then said goodbye.
I missed the session on Saturday night about the Father’s Blessing, but I can tell you that I would never have been as impacted as I was if my father would not have made things right with me. My father and I are friends now, and even though we have a lot to work through, it is so much better than before. I feel comfortable around him now, and I never did before. I used to dread getting married, because I would have to walk down the aisle with my father. This sound silly, but it really made me feel very uncomfortable. Now, I am praying for my father and waiting for God to bless his life.
—Gracie Shepherd
