Finding Your Place

By Helen Jennings

The purpose of my story is to leave a legacy that will point the next generation to the faithfulness of Gods love and to make them aware that with God, all things are possible. God can turn the worst situation into something wonderful like he did for me. I believe that although everyone is created for greatness, without motivation, it could take a lifetime to discover the true talents he or she has hidden inside. After missing out on numerous childhood dreams, I was motivated to write my story, Finding Your Place, in the hope of encouraging others not to give up. My story is a living testimony that Gods love is the source of ones strength. Despite the many hurdles that life throws at us, Gods love never fails! Instead, his love has guided me to discovering my true purpose. I trust that my story, Finding Your Place, will inspire someone out of their struggles and lead many more souls to the kingdom of God.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524555696

Helen Jennings

Helen Jennings was born in the Caribbean Island of Jamaica, West Indies, in the 1950s. She later migrate to the United States of America in the 1980s in search of better growth opportunities. She lived and worked in New York City, undertaking various roles including serving in the medical arena, where she functioned as a skilled nursing assistant. She later owned and operated her own business, a licensed Child Care Service dubbed "Helen's Day Care". Helen is the mother of two successful sons and one granddaughter. Her ultimate goal is to continue to be a positive role model for children. Helen is an optimist faith believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Her passion and interest is to continue to pursue the knowledge of God. She possesses and demonstrates a servant's heart with a willingness to serve others.

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Copyright © 2016 by Helen Jennings.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2016918096

ISBN:   Hardcover   978-1-5245-5571-9

Softcover   978-1-5245-5570-2

eBook   978-1-5245-5569-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system,

without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Unless otherwise indicated,

all scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.

The King James Version is public domain in the United States.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 02/23/2017

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CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgments

Endorsements

Introduction

Chapter One: A Child of God’s Heart

Chapter Two: A Child of God’s Heart

Chapter Three: Parenting

Chapter Four: Love can be found in the eyes of a child.

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine: Putting a Lie in Action Resolves Nothing

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

New Beginnings

PREFACE

I was inspired to write from hidden pain of unspoken words. I was told not to tell! Now I am free and walking in my healing.

Glory to God!

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

At the sound of an encouraging word, one can be motivated. Meg was truly motivated by the Word of God. Meg was encouraged by her two sons and friends to write her story. One pastor told Meg that by doing this, she would experience true healing. She thanked God for her sister, Doris Barrett, who was her spiritual mother. Doris always took time to listen to Meg. She assured her that whenever her writing is completed, it will be the finished work of God. Thank you, sister!

First and foremost, I would like to thank God for all the people he has brought into my life.

Thanks to my son, Craig, who believed in me and encouraged me to do more. He bought me a laptop that made writing easier. He humored me by saying, You could even sit up in bed and write! Son, that was so nice of you to surprise me; I want you to know that you are a special gift to me, and I love you very much. My son, Rohan, you are truly an inspiration to me. You never cease to express how proud you are of me. Thanks, son! You are a gift to me, and I love you very much.

A special thanks to Pastor Angelo Barbosa who ministered the Word of God to my brokenness and my troubled soul and for helping me to have a better understanding of submission. I believe God allowed me to cross this path, so I could learn the difference between praise and submission. My encounter with you, pastor, reminded me of the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Acts Chapter 8 clearly defines how God brings his people together for his purpose. Philip obeyed God’s instructions by meeting and baptizing the Eunuch who, in turn, became both a believer and a witness for Jesus Christ.

I remember on one occasion, Pastor Barbosa, you stated that, The laborers of Christ do not get tired. Those kind words of encouragement have helped me to stay focused on Christ Jesus who gave me the confidence and strength in "Finding my Place. As Paul wrote in II Timothy 4:7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." Paul was determined to finish strong, and so will I.

I also want to thank God for placing me under the strong leadership of the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York. I especially want to thank my 6:00 a.m. partners, Sister Donna Dunn, Sister Marie Snipes, and Rev. Julia Russell, and all the others who have joined us in their faithful prayers, both in the chapel and on the conference prayer line. As a result of these fervent prayer warriors, I have experienced answers to many of my prayers. In the gospel according to James 5:16, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

I want to thank God for Rev. Hallie Foard for her warm embrace and welcoming smile as she ministers to the elderly and others. She always encouraged me to give the best of my God’s given talent. Reverend, I want you to know that I am truly humbled during those times you allowed me to minister in songs and shared testimonies with your audience. This has brought great joy to my heart as I watched elderly saints gave thanks to God. Sister, you are, indeed, a truly remarkable woman of God and a blessing to our elderly ministry.

Finally, I would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Sister Ella Williams for her dedication and time well spent in assisting me to correct this manuscript. I am deeply grateful for your kind spirit and humble disposition, Sister Ella. Your keen observation to details was greatly appreciated. I thank God for sending you on my way. Truly, two are better than one! May God continue to use you as his editor and angel for others.

ENDORSEMENTS

I would like to take a moment to thank God for Sister Helen Jennings. She is an exceptional woman of God with great strength and courage. When you meet her, you see the glory of the Lord shining brightly on her. She has opened her heart to others through her writing to show us how God can move in our lives. She allows us to see that God is always with us, answering our prayers and working in our lives to restore us and bring glory to him.

I am grateful that God allowed Helen to share her story with me. I was always captivated by her experiences. There were moments when I laughed and cried. If I missed a week of Meg, I felt incomplete! My prayer for Helen is that God will take her story to the four corners of the world to bless all those who read it, just as it has blessed me! May God continue to bless you and keep you! Love you always.

Sister Donna Dunn

Glory to God!

This note is for Sister Helen Jennings for her first book. To God be the glory! I know Helen is a woman of God who has come to know God in a very intimate way. Within her inner being, she loves God. Through her life experiences, she testifies that God is real and that he works everything out for our good and his glory. As you read about her life testimonies, the struggles, and the victories, you will be blessed knowing that through God, all things are possible! You will remain forever in my prayers

Rev. Julia M. Russell

It is a Blessing!

Helen Jennings is a committed and a dedicated woman of God. She exhibits class and style that enhances her beautiful smile. I am grateful that she has accepted her position as a sister in the family of God. The honest and open characteristics of her writing demonstrate her knowledge of God and zest for abundant life.

Rev. Hallie Foard

Thanks Sister Helen for allowing me to share your story. I was intrigued by your honesty and survival struggles at such an early age. All who read your book will come away with a determination to overcome adversity, in whatever form it comes, just having the assurance that God will take care of them. This is a good testimonial of God’s love and unmerited favor.

God bless you as you strive to do his will, always!

Sister Beverley Walters

Like the meeting of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, I truly believe that God is still in the business of connecting his people for the proclamation of his gospel and for his ultimate glory. Hence, my spiritual encounter with Sister Helen Jennings.

A devout Christian worshiper and baptized believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I must admit that meeting Sister Helen Jennings has opened my eyes much wider to the truth of God’s word. Sister Jennings comes alive with a fresh anointing for one purpose—and one purpose only—and that is to win souls for the kingdom of heaven. Working closely with Sister Helen on the revision of this insightful book has left me breathless at times, but truly inspired, to say the least. In every line of every chapter of this true life story, it is evident that she has received deep-rooted inspiration directly from the Holy Spirit. To know Sister Helen is to love and appreciate her for the truthfulness and sincerity she demonstrates in serving and trusting God.

In her book Finding Your Place, Helen imparts hope for the hopeless, faith that counteracts doubts, prayers, scripture verses and songs that saturates one’s heart for worship, and countless encouragements that point to the ultimate prize—our Savior, our Redeemer, our Everlasting Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. One read of this precious little book, and your life will never be the same again—it has certainly changed mine! To God be the glory.

Feeling so blessed to know you, Sister Helen! In your goal to illuminate the pathway that leads others to Christ Jesus, may your story soar like the eagle and reach its platinum success.

Sister Ella Williams

INTRODUCTION

This is a true story, based on a little girl named Meg.

Finding your place in life is not always one of the easiest challenges, especially when you are a child like Meg. Meg started facing separation from her biological parents at the tender age of three, a pattern that followed her into adulthood. Unlike her brothers and sisters, home with her mother was where Meg felt safe—home was where Meg hung her heart! When a child is separated from a parent, the child’s first reaction is to be sad. Naturally, a child becomes easily afraid of any and every little thing; whether it is the dark, a bug, a mouse, a funny sound, or any kind of movement, a child’s first inclination would be running to mommy or daddy for safety and failing that, the child would be crying, screaming, or hiding.

Children should have the assurance that they are loved, cared for, and protected at all times. They should know that someone will be there at the beginning and ending of each day. However, a child that is deprived of love and protection will always feel abandoned and fearful. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said to his disciples, Suffer little children and forbid them not, to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven. In this scripture, Jesus gave us the perfect example of compassion that there must be a secure place in our hearts for children at all times. When they are afraid, as a parent, we should be there to comfort them with the love of Jesus Christ.

Understandably, a child is always fearful of the unknown. Even in the company of other adults, a child can still feel empty and alone and can easily become withdrawn from everyone around them. Hence, children will continue to live out what they learn and do what they see, even if it does not make sense. Unfortunately, someone like Meg who experienced loneliness, at a very young age, did lose the joy of having a healthy childhood. This is the story of Meg, now an adult, who prays incessantly for children who have experienced loss, abandonment, or neglect…

Dear Lord, I pray for joy and peace that a smile will brighten their little faces. I pray for comfort to their little hearts, mind, and soul. I pray, oh God, that those who have experienced love and security, from the bosom of their loved ones, will learn to understand those who are lacking that kind of love and will be willing to share from within their hearts true love and compassion. I pray that all children will grow up to be healthy men and women of God.

Amen.

CHAPTER ONE

A Child of God’s Heart

Day 1

Meg was the eighth child of ten children born to her father and mother, Dora and Stanford, all of whom were born and lived in the Caribbean Island. At the tender age of three, together with five of her ten siblings, Meg was taken, by her mother, to live with a grandaunt. Initially, this was intended to be a temporary arrangement. Meg’s mother, Dora, was the third of six siblings, including four sisters and a brother. After the death of Dora’s parents, everyone became separated.

At the age of thirteen, Dora was adopted by a stranger and remained in her hometown. Not having real families around her, life became very difficult for Dora. Instead of being a student, Dora instantly became a housemaid, who later progressed into motherhood at the age of fourteen. Although it seemed that Dora was forgotten by her siblings, for many years, she never gave up; she kept hope alive.

Dora now had given birth to her ninth child who was eighteen months old when she received a surprise visit from her real aunt, Daisy. Thrilled with astonishment, they embraced each other. Dora was excited to see her aunt, but her aunt was shocked to see all the children. However, Dora was proud of each one of her children and introduced them to her aunt, individually, by their names. As Aunt Daisy listened to her niece, she learned that one of the children had died, and two were staying with family members of the children’s father. Immediately, Aunt Daisy saw an opportunity to make Dora an offer to go and work for her sister Lilieth who was now a registered nurse.

Lilieth was living in the city while Dora was living in the country. Dora was very excited about the offer. Her aunt told her that she would take care of the children while she is gone. Dora was happy that she and her children were getting a break away from the country. Dora also believed that her children would live a better life at her aunt’s house.

Dora did not foresee any danger leaving her children with her aunt Daisy. Although this was a good proposal, it was not so easy for Dora and her children. Dora’s sister, Lilieth, was Aunt Daisy’s favorite niece. Lilieth was admired for her accomplishments and the fact that she was married to a doctor from England. Lilieth was getting ready to join her husband in England and felt that Dora would be the best person to care for her children while she was