When Old Things Pass Away

My personal story is a testimony of how God transformed the pain I suffered in childhood into a blessing. He caused the old things to pass away and filled my life with new beginnings! My parents are wonderful, hardworking people, but neither of them had the opportunity or the means to receive a formal education. They both worked tirelessly to give my three siblings and me food, shelter, and an education. When I was a child, my mom said, “Raquel, you will study. You will go to the university; you will be different.” I took her charge very seriously and worked diligently to honor her wish, while my parents sacrificed much to make it possible. But suddenly, that goal seemed doomed when, at the age of six, I experienced an unspeakable ordeal that shattered my world and made it impossible to envision any future for myself.

My oldest brother began to abuse me—a nightmare that lasted almost two years. To say that this situation devastated my life is a gross understatement.

I felt so ashamed. I suffered in silence and could not turn to anyone for help. I felt guilty, isolated, abandoned, and rejected, and I had no self-esteem to speak of.

Then something happened that changed my life.

One day our neighbors invited me to go to the Seventh-day Adventist Church with them. That visit brought me an unfamiliar joy and peace.

I continued to attend that church where I felt hope and acceptance. I learned about God’s love and forgiveness and discovered that I was a valued child of God. When I was fourteen years old, I gave my life to God and was baptized into the church.

I dedicated my life to serving Him. God found me at my lowest, most painful moment. He took away the old things—the shame, guilt, and fear from the past—and gave me a new beginning. He took away my pain and healed me! The Bible promises, “If anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB). This promise is a reality in my life! My friend, He can give you a new beginning too. Just come to Him. He is waiting to make all things new for you.

Raquel Bendita Larico