A Family Restored

On the final night of my Christmas vacation from college in 1990, I met my future husband, Hilton, at a nightclub. We talked at length that evening, and when I returned to school, he joined me there.

I was flunking out that semester, so when he returned home, I went with him. He was attending school on an athletic scholarship but later was dismissed for fighting.

Back at home, Hilton began selling drugs and fell into a deep depression. Within a few months, I became pregnant.

Though he had a job, he still sold drugs on the side. He wasn’t around much. But he did show up for the birth of our daughter, whom he loved and promised to care for.

Soon after, we began living together. Hilton would stay out at night, selling drugs and drinking. His behavior led to violent physical confrontations.

When I threatened to leave, he apologized and promised never to hit me again. But the physical and emotional abuse didn’t stop.

My family was unaware of the violence, so when I became pregnant again, they insisted that we get married. Because Hilton wanted to do the right thing, he gave in to family pressure, and we were married. Then things got worse.

I started seeking spiritual help–consulting mediums and psychics. I didn’t know Jesus.

One Sunday morning, my husband said, “I’m going to church.” I couldn’t join him, but he told me later he had gotten saved.

Shortly after, I gave my life to the Lord also. We didn’t change much at first because we lacked a strong biblical foundation.

One night after an argument, my husband went out. I stepped into the shower and began sobbing from deep inside.

“Lord, I’m sorry,” I said. As the water washed over me I sensed the Holy Spirit cleansing me of all the confusion and mending my broken heart.

We began attending a Spirit-filled church. The first night we were there, my husband was baptized in the Holy Spirit and instantly set free from of drinking and drugs. We were both delivered from many things.

Today we have two more little girls and are happily married and active in our church. God has given my husband his own business, provided an opportunity for me to sing for Him and restored to us an 11-year-old son my husband never knew. He was faithful even when we weren’t.