Lisa C-Trophy of Grace’s Testimony
Hello ladies, my name is Lisa Colon aka Trophy of Grace. My heart’s desire is to let you know that you are not alone in your circumstances. Many others around the world and maybe even next door to you are going through or have gone through similar situations. I have been through so many different trials in my own personal life. Looking at me now you would never know. Here’s a short version of my story.
For the most part I had a good early childhood. My parents always seemed very loving and affectionate towards one other. I don’t really remember seeing them fighting. I used to play the keyboard very well and I was always a straight ‘A’ student. At the time I had just one sister who is a year younger than me.
My parents separated when I was eleven years old. This was very difficult for me because I was very close to my dad. I blamed my mother and resented her for their divorce. I began running away from home often. When I was just twelve years old I stole a car with a “friend” and drove to New York. That was just the first time that I stole a car and ran away. I thought I was so grown. It was hard to relate to the other girls my age because I felt like I was so much more “mature”. I hung out with gangs but not by choice. My mother’s family incorporated a gang called “Sangre” back in the early 90’s. I saw several initiations along with other gang activities. I did not have many boyfriends because they were scared of my uncles and cousins. I learned to keep my relations with guys on the low.
My mother died when I was sixteen years old. That was it for me. I went down so low in my life that I never thought I would ever come out of that pit. I began selling and doing drugs. Just months after my mother died I got busted by the police and charged with drug trafficking. They put me on probation for five years.
Within a year I meet my first husband. I was pregnant and married six months later. A month before my daughter’s 1st birthday he left us without any warning. I was heartbroken and lonely. I did not have a mother to go running home to and my father did not want my bad influence around my little brother. I was just nineteen years old and homeless. I had no choice but to leave my daughter with my in-laws who were pastors. By this time I had violated my probation for the third time. On my second violation the judge promised that he would send me to prison if I violated again. Months later I was arrested for assault with a vehicle. Even then the judge still had mercy on me and sentenced me to a six month drug rehab center. Just three months into the program I violated again.
While I was waiting to be taken back to jail from the center, a group of Christian women came in. They planned a big tea party event. It was beautiful. I had never been to anything like that. That is when I met my mentor. She is a godly woman who would impact the rest of my life. She began writing me. I loved reading her letters because they were always so encouraging and full of scriptures from the bible. I did not have anyone showing me that kind of love, the God kind.
Over the years that I had been in and out of jail I had prayed many times,especially when I was in jail. I remember every time I violated my probation I would get extradited back to the West Palm Beach County jail and there was always the same older woman coming in and teaching a bible study. She was so sweet and she spoke of freedom in Jesus. I was not sure what that really meant at the time, but I knew that I needed it. I asked Jesus to come into my heart on one of those trips. I did not see a change in me, but looking back I know that God had a plan all along. He allowed me to continue in my rebellious and selfish ways a little longer before He allowed me to be set aside in prison.
I was sent from the rehab back to the judge. He sentenced me to five years in prison but because of the guidelines back then I only had to serve eighteen months. From the time that I met Sonia I really began to seek God. By the time I was sentenced to prison I knew that God had a plan for me and I was not scared. I was ready to face my consequences and move on with my life.
God did not allow prison or my past experiences to destroy me. He took what the devil meant to destroy me and turned it around for my good. He blessed me with a beautiful family. Everything that I lost God gave me back and more. I have a wonderful husband who puts our family first. I have children who love God and that are constantly praising Him.
He can do the same for you if you will let Him. I am not proud of what I have done in my past, but if I had to go through it all over again so that I could better understand someone else’s sorrow then I would. I am who I am today because of God’s grace. I am His Trophy of Grace.
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You are far from us
But that’s cool that you’re right her in Texas!
We live about 30 mintues from San antonio.
That is cool that you’re here in Texas too
My family just recently moved to McKinney, Tx from North Lauderdale, Fl. a year ago. We love it here. It’s different but nice. Where abouts do you live?
Thank you for replying and i live in Texas too i thought that was cool.
We just prayed for him sister. Thank God your mom was there to help him. Thank you for sharing your prayer request with us.
Dear Hannah,
I know you feel alone and maybe confused about why your friends are leaving you, but allow yourself to trust that God is working in the middle of all of this. He is with you and working this all out for your good. He will bring you new friends to hang out with and share your life with. Trust Him. (Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11)
In my life I have had to learn that there is a season for everything, even for friendships. (Ecclesiastes 3) What I mean to say is that sometimes I have been really close to a friend for a season and then something happens to change our circumstances and then we can’t hang out any more. For instance I just moved from South Florida a little over a year ago to Texas. Well I had to leave a good friend and a sister in Christ. We still talk every once and a while, but we can’t hang out any more because we are so far apart. I was so sad when I left. I felt like I was leaving my sister behind. It has taken time but I have met new women and I have had to allow myself to grow in new relationships.
You’ll see sister that you will get through this. Don’t worry about this season. Be excited knowing that God is doing something new in your life.
Sincerely,
Trophy of Grace
Please Everyone pray for this man His name is Joe he collasped on the on the side of the road he had a heart attack and my mom did CPR on him with some other people also this man came over and prayed over him please please pray for him.
Dear Treasure Box i have a problem.three of my friends are going to public school this year (two are my best buds and we were all homeschooled)my mom won’t let me go to Public school and i am fine with that but i told both of my friends that i was sad and i didn’t want them to go but if they wanted too then i will deal with it well my friend emailed me and said how she felt that i was being mean i said i was sorry and i would try to be happy for them but then she said i don’t want to try to be happy about something you are truly not i kinda got upset and didn’t email back.She also said that my other friend probably felt the same and i felt kinda confused about that and if my other friend really felt like that i was excited about us all going to chemistry this year and now my friend said i wanna try public school so i shoved it off and was excited about spending that time with my other friend then she sprung that she was also going and then my other friend told me she was going too all of a sudden i felt alone we Don’t see each other that often sometimes at church but thats it i don’t get alone time with them.This year I’m going to need to make all new friends and I’m not that good at it.Please respond i really need help.
(Sorry if it was too long.)
Is this normal? Well I think sometimes when we’re young we can develop extreme crushes on older guys if they pay extra attention to us like this young man seems to do with you. We may confuse what their intentions are with us and begin to fantasize about a relationship with them.
Personally sister I think you need to separate yourself from him completely, for a season or maybe for good, so that you can get your mind right. It sounds like you’re obsessing over him. You have to stop it.
I just read a verse this morning that popped into my mind when I read this. It’s 1 John 5:21 which says, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.”
I think you will stop hurting when you stop meditating on him and what he’s doing. Draw close to God and ask Him to help you. Then when the Holy Spirit leads you to answers and solutions for this situation follow His instruction. Be a doer of whatever it is that He is showing you to do.
My suggestion would be to get into the Word of God like never before and to put on some good praise music and sing. When we get to singing and dancing to some good praise music that heaviness that we are feeling has to go! Try some Britt Nicole, Mary Mary, Addison Road, Natalie Grant, Fireflight, or Group 1 Crew. Go to Pandora and put in Britt Nicole as the artist. You will get some good music that will lift you up.
I pray that our Lord has used me to encourage you if even just a little bit and spoken to your heart.
Sincerely,
Trophy of Grace
Hey. I’m struggling. I have an emotional attachment to a guy who is in college. I am only 13. It hurts like crazy and I’m depressed during the time we don’t talk. I finally told him and he understands but I can’t help but feel bad. He didn’nt ask for or deserve this. It’s not like I have a crush on him but I don’t know. I get jealous when he gives other girls advice. I want him to only care about me. I’ve always wanted an older brother and he is the closest thing that I have to one. Is this normal? How do I stop hurting? Thanks!
Well thank you sister..all the credit and glory has to go to Jesus because He is the One who has transformed me. He is amazing!
this is so cool to see that someone so bad could become such a good person.No offense to the others(cause they are good too) but i like your advice the most.
That’s right! If it were about perfection I would be totally disqualified. It is His Spirit in us that qualifies and equips us for all that He all called for us to do. I am just happy that He would even consider using me. I have learned that all we have to do is be willing to step out in faith and obedience and He will do the rest. Thanks for the comment.
its so amazing to see how that God works in so many ways and that God loves you just as you are and not for being a beautiful perfect person. The family of God is not full o fperfect people but forgiven people.
Thanks Tiffany..Yes..God does chase us ever so patiently. His kindness to me truly did lead me to repentance. I am glad that I can trust Him with my life and my family. I am glad that He is my source of Hope & Strength. I am so grateful that He saved me and never gave up on me. I truly know that it was for such a time as this.
This is proof that God chases after us in our worst moments. We are loved and created for greater purposes. How I thank God for giving you gifts when you most needed Him. Mentor. Letters. Love.
Beautiful. Yes, you are a trophy of his Grace.
I will prayerfully consider it..
Would you please consider writing and sharing your story, struggles, or testimonies to be posted on PowerUpLove.com? There are other people going through the same sort of things. It encourages others to hear when other people have the same desires, same disappointments, and same struggles.
We don’t rejoice in other people’s struggles or anything, but we rejoice in the fact that we’re not alone in carrying our burdens. We’re uplifted when we know someone is praying specifically re: particular areas in our life, just as they are encouraged knowing we’re praying for them. My heart aches when I see realize that if I cry when my friends cry, hurt when they hurt, and I’m human…imagine how God responds to us when we’re hurting and we turn to Him for solace. What a revelation that is! Jesus is such a great listener, especially when our mind is racing..
“And we know that all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Thanks Shauna..The Lord is awesome and I would never have been able to make through all that I have overcome if it weren’t for Him. I want to tell everyone I can that Jesus lifted me up out of my mess and despair and has set my feet on the the Rock, Jesus Christ. What the devil meant to destroy us we can use to bring glory to God. I would love to hear your story.
I really appreciate your testimony girlfriend and love what you are doing with it!! We have very similar stories my friend. I enjoy your website very much and look forward to reading it at least once a week! Keep up the good work!! All glory to God!