Tamara's Story: Complete Restoration
Restoration: Restitution of something taken away or broken
Even though it’s been over 14 years since we first heard Jim Anderson’s message as students in the Master’s Commission, it feels like yesterday. After a week of teaching and an afternoon of ministry and prayer, I had a freedom in my spirit I’d never known before.
I come from generations of dysfunction, abuse, divorce, addiction, and broken parent-child relationships (since broken parents raising children results in broken children.)
I remember specifically thinking, I don't know what it means to be a daughter. I did not want to be married because of the divorce I had seen and experienced in my family. I saw nothing of value in myself to offer anyone in marriage. And because of the lack of mothering I had received and my lack of relationship with my mom, I didn’t think I would ever be a mom.
Even as Christians, Jon and I were not free from the shame of our pasts—shame that came from our upbringing and choices we had made as young adults in relationships. We were insecure and really didn't know what our identities were in Christ as a son and daughter.
Jim’s message gave us keys to unlock the shame of our pasts. God brought freedom that is now enabling us to raise our own family with wholeness and purity. We are restored. The freedom I have found through Jim’s message is also beginning to turn around generations of brokenness in my family. Through traveling with Jim to Romania and by sharing his book Unmasked, many conversations have opened up with family members.
Jon and I have been blessed with four children. Each time we hear Jim’s message we are reminded and encouraged that our children will not know the shame we carried. We are grateful to the Lord for the message He has birthed in the Anderson’s hearts. Thank you!
