Submitted by Regina Howard
The Phoebe in my life is my good friend of more than fifty years. Her name is Elaine, and she has been there for me through thick and thin. We met some 50 years ago through her husband, who I met several months prior in San Juan, Puerto Rico. As it happens, her husband and I were staying at the same hotel. He was with several of his buddies, all Marines, on leave for the weekend.
One of his buddies and I developed an interest in furthering our relationship, and we decided to contact each other when we returned to the States. When we returned, our relationship became serious, and we decided to marry. We purchased a home in the same town as Joe and Elaine in Roosevelt, NY. My husband and I had three daughters, and several years into the marriage he developed interests outside the home walked away from his family and the marriage.
It was during this time in my life I became a single mom. It was a very lonely and challenging time. I was suddenly responsible for three lives and myself. The challenges seemed insurmountable. Maintaining a house, paying a mortgage, putting food on the table, working full time and part time to make ends meet. As if I were not doing enough, I was inspired to finish my Bachelor of Science degree. I was able to do this and more because My Phoebe kept my daughters while I worked the night shift. She never charged me one penny. In addition, My Phoebe’s husband Joe made his car available each night to provide me transportation back and forth to my place of work.
It was during these episodes my friend Elaine became My Phoebe. She would witness to me about Jesus and salvation. She would find humor in situations that would lift me during those down times. She encouraged me with the scriptures and her experience of being filled with God’s Spirit. The rest is history, I have been Spirit filled since 1976 and happily serving the Lord. We are now in our 70s, and I thank God for sending My Phoebe, Elaine Rosetta Holmes, to me when I needed here most.
I am forever grateful.
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