FROM HEARTBREAK TO HEALING

by Chida Santos

I grew up in a simple, loving home with three brothers in a Methodist family. From childhood I attended church, Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the children’s choir. Though we were not wealthy, my parents provided for our needs and made sure I had a good education.

At a young age I thought I had dedicated my life to Jesus because I participated in church activities and memorized Scripture. Everything changed during a youth overnight retreat on June 1, 1989, when I personally accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. John 3:16 became real to me, and from that day my hunger for God’s Word grew.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

That hunger sustained and prepared me as I entered college. I began reading the Bible regularly, leading prayers, and surrendering my daily walk to Jesus; I experienced His protection, guidance, and wisdom in a world that was new to me.

When I was 17, I entered a relationship that lasted eight years and even reached the point of wedding preparations. During that season I experienced deep pain when the relationship ended because another person was involved. The breakup devastated my family and me; for months I struggled with grief and could barely face each day. In that dark season I anchor to God’s promises Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28, Psalm 37:4 and prayed for God to remove the love I still felt so I could move forward. He answered. His faithfulness and comfort carried me through, and He used my healing to encourage others. I returned to leading worship with a heart renewed by love for the Lord rather than by emotion alone.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. - Romans 8:28

Over the years I made mistakes and fell short of God’s best for my life, but God’s grace and mercy always brought me back to Him. In 2002 I reunited with Jayson, the young man I’d known years earlier. After six months of dating, we were engaged and married within a year. Our marriage has been marked by God’s provision, protection, and patient faithfulness, even when doubt or waiting tested us.

Before we reached where we are today, my parents both passed away six months apart—my father after eight years on dialysis from kidney failure, and my mother from pancreatic cancer. One of the greatest comforts during my father’s illness was knowing he had professed faith in Jesus; when I asked him if he believed, he answered with assurance that he had accepted the Lord and would go to heaven. That brought deep peace to my heart.

I am blessed with a loving husband, our three kids Jianne, Chloe, and Chelsea, and our dog, Heaven. And above all I am child of God, to Him be all the glory, honor and praise!