When I was a preteen, my parents were focused on God’s laws and anything joyful or fun was considered a sin. I was given the impression that all teens were standing at the gates of hell. I felt so repressed and incapable of ever pleasing God. So by the time I was a young adult, I just gave up on knowing God and instead, pursued to have the perfect family and material possessions.
However, my first marriage failed and I threw myself into working full-time and going back to college. I met my second husband during that time and went through some very rough years with him. But through it all, my grandma had been praying for me.
Toward the end of summer, in 2011, my grandma was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was ninety-three years old and she was ready to go on home and be with the Lord, and so refused any life-prolonging measures. As she was like a mother to me, I promised that I would take care of her.
I also gave her my word that she would not pass away alone, but that I would be right beside her. I took care of her daily and then toward the end, nightly for nine months. She was such a strong person and did not pass away until May 9, 2012. I held her hand all that day and into the evening when she took her final breath.
During the earlier months of caring for her, I felt so alone. I felt like a bad mother and wife, that I was neglecting my two young children and husband by spending the majority of my time caring for my grandma. I was mentally, physically, and spiritually exhausted and riddled with guilt.
Then one day, while I was taking care of her, I was channel surfing as she took a nap and I happened to chance upon Pastor Prince’s TV program, Destined To Reign. At first, I thought it was just another preacher trying to sell the impossible dream of pleasing God. But Pastor Prince’s message was different from anything I had ever heard before.
I was drawn to what he had to say. From that moment on, I looked forward to watching his show on my grandma’s television.
I watched him daily and came to the realization that all this time that I had given up on God because I thought He had given up on me, I was wrong. The gospel of grace totally changed my thinking and God started showing me, through Pastor Prince’s teaching, just how much He loves me and had always loved me.
I learned that Jesus had already done it all for me, that there was nothing more to do but rest in the work of our Lord Jesus and let Him be my strength to do what needed to be done in taking care of my grandma and my family. Those last few months with my grandma were so precious and I was able to enjoy them because I had been freed from the condemnation of living under the law.
I finally realized that I could live under grace, such a precious revelation that I got from stumbling upon Pastor Prince’s message on TV.
During my grandma’s last few hours, there was no struggle. She was peaceful and kept looking up, as if she was already getting glimpses of the other side. She passed easy with peace and I know that she saw Jesus.
I truly believe her prayers for me all those years led me to find the gospel of grace through Pastor Prince’s teachings. I thank you, Pastor Prince, for your ministry. Thank you for being open to the Holy Spirit and listening to what God leads you to preach. It has radically changed my life and it allowed me to enjoy the last few months with my grandma. It also changed my husband’s life and freed him from the addictions he was struggling with. Grace has totally changed our lives.
Thank You, Father, for using Pastor Prince to spread your grace through Jesus to the world.
Cheri Michelle Love | California, United States
