My Lifelong Friend, Jesus | Julie Churness' Story

This is the story of Julie Churness, a woman who has known Jesus all her life, and who has sought Him in childhood, in marriage, and infertility.

I grew up with Jesus in my life at a very young age. I learned about him from my mother, who taught me “The Lord’s Prayer” and “The Angel of God Prayer.” We’d say them together every night, and I believed that God was real. As the third child in the family, I had two older brothers who didn’t have much time for a little sister who always got in the way and cramped their style. We lived on a farm with not many neighbors close by. Even in kindergarten, they had to bring a girl from a neighboring town, so I wasn’t the only girl in my class. Jesus was my secret companion, along with the farm dog and cats. He was always there to listen to my fears growing up.
Matt. 19:14 “Let the little children come to me.”

When I was in 4th grade, we moved from the farm into a small western town. It was a new experience to be around where other kids were close by. However, I did not find the best of friends to be with. I learned how to make mischief by letting air out of car tires and stealing candy from the little store across from the school. I could swear up a storm, and even the boys my age would stay clear of me. I knew that this was wrong and that Jesus was disappointed in me. So that summer, I decided I was going to change, even if my friends dropped me. I figured it was Jesus and me before, so it could be just the two of us again if no one else befriended me.
Psalm 16:5 “You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.”

In time, classmates saw that I really had changed, and I acquired new friends. I never got into a clique, but had a few good friends. I did not want to be in a position again where I went along with peer pressure. I feel that God’s greatest gift to me is endurance and discipline.
James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”

In high school, I remember praying to God to find me a good Christian boy to fall in love with one day. He answered my prayers again, and I fell in love with my high school sweetheart. We were married at the ages of 20 and 21.

After five years of marriage, my husband decided it was time to start a family. I said, give me a little time to pray about it, as I wasn’t the kind of woman who naturally fell in love with little children. But within a summer's time, I felt the Lord working within me, and I was excited to start this new adventure. One whole year went by before we went to the doctors for help. Another year went by, trying various drugs and procedures. All this time being let down every month that it didn’t work. I was starting to question God, if this was what He wanted for us, and how long did He want us to keep going on this way? By the end of our third year of trying, my husband was giving me shots in the hip every night to make my cycle happen properly, and then had artificial insemination done. It was our second time trying this procedure when I finally said, "If it doesn’t work this time, I’m done." My husband agreed. He was at the end also. So, I prayed, "It’s now or never, Lord. If I don’t get pregnant this time, I will assume that is your will for us." Maybe God decided that I was really finally ready to have children, or I needed to learn patience; I’ll never know for sure, but He blessed us with twin daughters that month. 
Psalm 27:14 “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

I could go on about how God helped me through the child-rearing years, but I think you can already see how important God has been in my life and how I am always trying to keep Him close at hand. I hope my story will help you to see how having a relationship with Jesus can make you a strong person who can get you through the tough times in life and this world. He will always be there for you and give you many blessings if you only believe and love him. 
Psalm 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before him; God is a refuge for us.”