If you are a part of our Rest Ministries Sunroom social network, odds are you have seen the name “Marney” pop up a lot! Marney is our number one “commenter” and “encourager” with the most posts of over 2500 people.

I recently asked her to share a bit more about herself that I could share with the Rest Ministries family.

My ministry verse is 2 Corinthians 1:3,4: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God (Who is the Source) of every comfort (consolation and encouragement) Who comforts (consoles and encourages) us in every trouble (calamity and affliction) so that we may also be able to comfort (console and encourage) those who are in any kind of trouble or distress, with the comfort (consolation and encouragement) with which we ourselves are comforted (consoled and encouraged by God.” (Amplified version)

I found Rest Ministries in 2004. I was trying to recover for months from a exploded ulcer that should have taken my life. I was struggling to come to terms with the fact that I would not be able do all the things in our church that I had been doing over the years. I felt like I had been put on the shelf by God, but He was preparing me for one of the most fruitful times and joyful in my life.

One day I was searching for encouragement on the internet. I felt lonely and isolated. Was there anyone who understood?

Up popped RestMinistries.com . I clicked on the link, learned about the Share and Prayer message board, and joined it. I started to receive the support and understanding that I needed from people who understood chronic pain and illness. I also learned about the yahoo email group, Splashes of Joy. [Editor note: These are now groups in the Sunroom.]

I joined and found wonderful, giving women, who loved me, prayed for me and counseled me. All these years later, I still treasure their friendships.

Now, I am able to use the love, encouragement that I received, to help others that feel lost and alone. I have found that ministering to others not only encourages them, in their faith, but also encourages me. God is using all the experiences I thought of with pain and regret, to minister to others, turning the bad to good as Romans 8:28 tell us.

It is so important to know that you do not have to suffer alone, that there are others, who truly understand. I feel more at home here then most any place else. I am “normal” here, not the one who is “different.”

Hugs,
Marney

Thank you, Marney, for making  a daily difference in so many lives!

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