 Testimony Of Kirk
Kirk was born in a small community, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia (Canada). His mother's name is
Elizabeth and his father's name is John. Kirk never remembered his father living at home for John
moved out when Kirk was only 4 years old. The marriage broke up do to financial problems.
After the divorce a so called "normal" family didn't exist for Kirk and his mother. Throughout his
adolescent and teen years, moving became a way of life. It seemed that every 4 years they would
have to pack up and move to another location, mainly due to financial instability. Elizabeth
always had problems collecting child support from John. John never seemed to be financially
secure.
Life was hard for Elizabeth as she was trying single-handedly to raise her son
by herself. Back in the early sixties, it was not socially acceptable to be a single mom. But one
thing is certain. Every decision Elizabeth made, whether it was good or bad, hinged on the well-being of her son. On the outside Kirk seemed to be a happy child and on the whole he was. But
he always wondered why his Dad left them. Why couldn't he have a normal family like everyone
else? When he started school he had to face embarrassing questions like -"Where does your
Father work?" or "Tomorrow is Father and son day. Are you and your Dad coming?" When
friends came over after school and stayed for supper, they noticed that Kirk's father wasn't there.
They would ask "Where is your Dad? Is he working late?" Elizabeth knew here son was
hurting inside and she was at a loss to know what to do about it.
Four years after
John left Elizabeth, when Kirk was eight years old, Elizabeth met a man that seemed to be the
answer to their problems. Gord took a fancy to Elizabeth and her son. A relationship developed
between Gord and Elizabeth. Gradually a bond developed between Gord and Kirk but confusion
would best describe how Kirk felt toward this new situation. How was he to feel towards this
new man in his mother's life? He liked Gord as a friend but what did it all mean? Gord showed
affection towards Kirk and his mother but it turned sour a few years later. Gord was an abuser.
He was a mental abuser and a physical abuser. Gord had a drinking problem as well. When he
would come home drunk, his abuse would be worse. Kirk saw his mother's self-esteem vanish as
Gord continued to berate her day after day. Gord also wanted Kirk to call him Dad and assume
his name, both of which Kirk could never do willingly. Because of this, the situation grew worse.
Then one day, Kirk came home to find the police at his house. Gord had been knocked
unconscious by one of the police officers because he was drunk and abusive. Gord had physically
attacked his mother. Elizabeth had a six inch gash in her forehead because Gord had pushed her
into the corner of the kitchen door. But the relationship didn't end there. The abuse continued
until Gord left the house for good with another woman. A blessing is disguise. This would give
Elizabeth some time to straighten out her life and regain her self esteem.
But Kirk
still had many trials to overcome, most of which were self-induced. At the ripe old age of 10,
Kirk started to experiment with cigarettes and alcohol. Both hooked him for the next 20 years.
As he grew older the addictions became more severe. At the age of 14 Kirk began to associate
with a "different" crowd and proceeded to become involved in their way life, mainly petty crimes.
Fortunately for Kirk, his mother sold the house and moved to a rented town house on the west-end of the community. The petty crimes stopped, but the smoking and drinking continued.
Through it all, Kirk thought he was doing a good job of hiding it from his Mom. But Elizabeth
knew. She was at a loss to know how to help her son but she was always very patient and
understanding. Was Kirk going through a phase that some kids go through at that age? As time
progressed, Elizabeth knew it wasn't just a passing phase.
When Kirk finished school
the only thing he was interested in was partying and having a good time. Weekends were devoted
to drinking and drugging. Kirk experimented with various forms of drugs. Drugs like marijuana,
hash, hash oil, LSD, and cocaine. But he "enjoyed" drinking the most. Even when he was dating,
partying still had the upper hand. At the age of 18, he fell for a girl named Jean. I guess you
could say it was love at first sight. The relationship continued to grow. They were inseparable.
When he met Jean's parents he realized there was something different and strange about them.
They were religious. Kirk found himself curious but continued his way of life. Jean came to Kirk
with the news that she was pregnant. At the tender age of 18 and 19 respectively, Jean and Kirk
were married amidst serious concerns among the families and friends involved. But the Lord saw
the end result, for it seems they were meant for each other. But Kirk continued his old ways of
drinking even after the second and third child was born. Of course, he always thought he had it
well under control.
Throughout the next 10 years, Kirk continued to drink but he
also learned more about Christianity through the lives of Jean's parents. At the age of 29, Kirk's
life met a fork in the road. He was drinking more than ever. A drink in the morning, nip through
the day and finally a last drink before he went to bed was the order of every day for Kirk. All
done through supposed secrecy. He would mix vodka and orange juice for drives in the car. He
would hide miniature liquor bottles all over the house, just in case he needed a drink. Jean knew
what was going on but what could she do? Every time she brought it up, Kirk would get angry
and would refuse to talk about it. It was at this point in Kirk's life that a drastic change was to
occur. He knew he was doing wrong, that the course he was treading was a dead end. He knew
he would lose his family eventually if he didn't change his ways. This was to be Kirk's darkest
hour. He felt the depths of despair and anguish that comes from a separation from God. He
knew he had to change or something terrible was going to happen. But he also knew he couldn't
change anything himself. He was to weak to do it. At this point Kirk found himself crying out to
God. "Please save me from the mess I'm in!" he cried. And save him He did. Kirk began
bible studies with the pastor of Jean's parents' church. After months of study the pastor asked
Kirk if he would accept Christ as his personal saviour and would he like to give his heart to Jesus.
Kirk couldn't hold back any longer. YES he would!! A great burden was lifted from his
shoulders. Peace and relief flooded his soul. He was a new man in Jesus Christ. Never again
would he take up drinking again! Smoking would never have control him again! Jesus had
conquered these addictions for him. He realized how blessed he was that God had granted him a
new chance at God's way of life. Kirk saw his family in a new light. He really saw for the first
time how blessed he was that God had granted to him a beautiful wife and three beautiful children.
God had planned for him to meet Jean and her parents! It was all in God's plan! Another sinful
soul was claimed by the blood of Jesus Christ.
I invite you to turn in your Bible to
2Corinthians 9:6, 10-15: "Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever
sows generously will also reap generously. Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for
food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your
righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every
occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you
perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many
expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men
will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and
for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you
their hearts will go out to you because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to
God for his indescribable gift!"
When we read these texts we understand that
the indescribable gift that the apostle Paul is talking about is the free gift of salvation and eternity
through the life, death and resurrection of our saviour, Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus Christ
as our personal Saviour we only want to do what He would have us to do. Jesus expects us to be
willing partakers in His cause, by following His example. He would have us to be generous in our
freewill offerings, He would have us to be generous with our compassion towards those that are
less fortunate than us, He would have us to be generous with our time. All of these are very, very
important. But the one I personally believe to be the most important is this. He would have us to
be generous with His love that He that He has showered abundantly upon us! And how are we to
be generous with His love? By sharing the "indescribable gift" that Paul speaks
about, that Paul is so excited about!! Some of us have come to Jesus through varying
circumstances and situations. Some of us are just now realizing our need of a life-changing
experience. If you are searching for meaning in your life, if you feel that something is missing in
your life experience, take heart! You may have felt the anguish that Kirk felt when he realized
how far he was from God. Take heart! Jean's parents shared the "indescribable
gift" of salvation to Kirk and another life was claimed for Jesus Christ! As you read this
message the "indescribable gift" is being offered to you! Jesus wants you in His
kingdom! A free gift, yours for the taking! And for those who have already accepted Jesus into
their hearts, He want you to do your part. Your part is sharing the "indescribable
gift" just like Jean's parents did for Kirk. That is what Jesus has commissioned us to
do! If we do not do this with all of our hearts, with ALL of the love that Jesus has
given to us freely, then we have failed. Each one who has already come to Christ needs to search
their hearts and examine how we came to know a loving Saviour. Some of us came to know Him
through family and friends, some of us came from our own study of Scripture. There are many,
many ways that Jesus can bring a person to Him! Kirk came to know Christ through Jean's
parents and studying with a pastor.
Can I give you an example of how Christ uses
situations to lead people to Him? We have a sign outside our church that you can change the
wording to announce different programs and events. As I was putting letters on the sign a pickup
truck pulled into the parking lot. I thought he was just turning around but he pulled up right next
to me and rolled down his window. We exchanged pleasantries. I noticed he had tattoos
covering both arms from top to bottom. He had an earring in his ear, had longish hair and had a
Doberman Pincer sitting next to him. As he began to talk he lit up a cigarette and came right to
the point, "What do you believe in?" I was floored! I didn't expect that. But in hindsight
it wasn't all that unexpected after all, for I had prayed for the Lord to show me someone that I
could share His "indescribable gift!" It was an answered prayer! I proceeded to
tell him the basics of what I believe and then he shared with me that he was a recovering
alcoholic. Before he gave up drinking, his life was a life of hell. But he hadn't had a drink for six
months. Now he acknowledges a God in his life, but doesn't really know who Jesus is or what
Jesus means. He told me he pulled in the parking lot when he read, "God Loves You" on
the sign. We talked for a long time. I gave him my phone number and a wonderful booklet
entitled "Happiness Digest" which you can request free from this website. We talked
some more and then he left. I don't know what the end result will be for that gentleman but I did
thank the Lord for giving me an opportunity to share His "indescribable
gift!"
Please turn with me in your Bible to Matthew 7:7,8: "Ask
and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be
opened." Take these words of Christ into your heart! Please accept His invitation to
you; His "indescribable gift!" All the names in this testimony of Kirk are middle
names. My middle name is Kirk.
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