A Testimony of God’s Grace and Goodness
Written by Jennifer Romano
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm— my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed. Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am the Lord your God, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed.”
Joel 2:25-27
In 2010, I was in a very dark season. I did not know The Lord. My dad had just died in February 2010. My family became estranged right after his memorial service, and my marriage was over. I was devastated. Wall Street had a near-historic financial collapse due to the subprime crisis of 2008 and the subsequent credit crunch of 2010, which wiped out my sector under fixed-income derivatives and my 15-year career in the financial markets. I was enslaved to alcohol and abusing drugs. I had an abortion. I lost my home.
In August 2010, I had gone to a motel room, and while blacked out drunk, I took all my pills in a failed suicide attempt. In that condition, I got behind the wheel of my car and attempted to drive. This resulted in two traffic tickets, alcohol-related. I have no recollection of that evening except these fragments. Rather than going to court then, I left (fled) town to South Carolina, where I lived in addiction. For the last seven years, while I was there, I was homeless. I completely suppressed the memory of this for well over a decade. But thanks to God for the gift of desperation. In 2022, I cried out to The Lord, and he saved me. I lived at a ministry in South Carolina for nine months before moving to North Carolina and then Tennessee to go to LifeChangers. I genuinely do have a completely new and changed life.
After that, The Lord led me to Knoxville, and I've been coming to The Well since last May (Fire and Liberty). I wanted to get my passport and license reinstated so I could drive to The Well (and drive to work) and go on missions! When I started getting my license in Tennessee, I had paid a scofflaw suspension lift to the Ontario, NY court, which then flagged the system because I received a letter from New York to appear in court for my outstanding tickets. If I didn’t go, I would be held in contempt, and a warrant would be issued. If I went, I was also looking at jail time because I didn’t have the funds for a lawyer or to pay for these tickets. Many people prayed, and I made the decision to take the 24-hour bus ride to New York for court. Earlier last month, God told me in a prophetic word that he'd heard every prayer and that he was going to restore me and my family. Glory and Praise to God forever!
On September 19, I arrived back in Knoxville. My bus trip was over 29 hours home. By God's grace, I kept my joy and peace the WHOLE TIME! What a miracle indeed! Every minute of this trip was worthwhile and for God's glory.
The two tickets were reduced to an open container violation with a $5 fine (plus court surcharge) and 0 points. I was blessed with familial restoration and being present when my mom gave her life to Christ. The LORD restores indeed. This experience has changed me in the best possible way. The Lord has been showing me things along the way and healing me. He has allowed me to reflect his light and share his love with those around me from TN to NY and back again. There were many opportunities to share the gospel, pray for people, and release declarations in multiple states! Prayer upon prayer answered.
When I took this picture in New York, right before I boarded the bus, many people and cars surrounded me. I was more aware of The Lord than the people and places around me. I was also marveling at how the last time I stood at that corner, I was entirely consumed by how I could get enough money to get a drink at the liquor store, which was out of the camera's range but right around the corner. I was so low and depressed then. But God! This day, I was so filled with joy, love, and peace, and walking in freedom from addiction. I could feel God's presence so intensely. If I hadn't had my luggage, I would have been skipping joyfully!
I took the picture right after sharing the gospel with a young man named Noah on a park bench. He said he needed Jesus, and we prayed.
This led to where we are today! God is making all this possible! I hope to pass a driving test by next month! Hallelujah, Thank you, God!
Hebrews 12:27 TPT
Now, this phrase “once and for all” clearly indicates the final removal of things that are shaking, that is, the old order, so only what is unshakable will remain.