We have heard with our ears, O God: our fathers have told us what you did in their days in days long ago. Psalm 44:1

When Stefani was a small girl, I would say the word, "Hands" reminding her to place her hand in mine. We walked this way crossing the street or even in a mall.  This led to a bond between a father and child which has lasted for seventeen years.  The truth is one day I will place her hand into the hand of her future husband.  

The span between her childhood and adulthood gives her dad many opportunities to speak about the wonderful things God has done in my life.  These are not fables or bible stories of people she does not know.  These are eyewitness accounts of things which occurred in the thirty-six years since I received Christ as Lord.  

The Purpose Of A Testimony

If called to give a testimony in a court of law, I report facts as I see them.  I might be challenged by an attorney testing if I truly believe what I have seen. 

An eyewitness' testimony is the simple recitation of facts given in evidence.  They may not be as walking on water or feeding five-thousands with a few fishes and loaves.  These are the chronicles of God's leadership to get a college degree or someone reminding me to listen to God's call to the ministry.  It was God's leading to help smaller churches in West Virginia.  It was God's provision of a ministry position with benefits because Vicki might never return to work after surgery. These factual events occurred because of God's Providence.   

The Testimony of a Parent

As a parent, I find my most important role is telling the wondrous things God has done in my life.  Each time I give a testimony, she may question the truthfulness of the testimony.  How did God lead me into the ministry? Why did God put you into the ministry? These any many more.  However, the questions give me the chance to reinforce the message.