People of faith: four questions with Serenity Charlebois

1.  Tell me about yourself (church, family, work, etc.)  I am 35. I've been married to Chris for over 13 years now. We have three energetic boys (Rand, Matrim and C.J.) who are true gifts from God! They brighten my life (and keep me busy) every day. We live close to my parents and I am so thankful that they are a part of our lives! My brother and his family live in International Falls. I wish they were closer.

I have been attending South Metro Vineyard Church (SMVC) for over 20 years now! My family started attending when a friend of mine invited me to youth group there. My husband started attending SMVC (then called Victory Vineyard Church) when we were dating. The people at SMVC truly are our family! They have helped us (and cried with us) through many tough times in life, and have rejoiced with us in times of joy. We are involved in a few different areas at SMVC. I lead a ministry called Christ-Life: The Ultimate Journey. It is a discipleship ministry which made a big difference in my life and I have been privileged to be facilitating groups at SMVC for about four years now. My husband has also been involved and facilitates groups from time to time. We also lead a small group, which is where our closest relationships are forged. Chris helps run sound on Sunday mornings and I am on the worship team. Chris used to spend his Saturday mornings working at our food pantry (Fruit of the Vine), but has had to give that up as he is working two jobs right now. And I get to spend a few hours on Fridays volunteering in the office. Our oldest son, Rand, helps teach the preschoolers on Sunday mornings. It is so great watching him get involved in the kids' lives, knowing them and loving them!


I am currently not working outside the home. What a blessing it has been to be a stay-at-home mom! I am hoping to get back to school, though, sometime soon.
 
2.  What are some of the highlights of your Christian walk?
 
When I ponder what my highlights have been in my Christian walk, it is interesting to me what pops into my head immediately... the lowest, hardest times in our lives! Certainly at the time they didn't feel like highlights! I wondered, 'Where is God? Why is He letting this happen? Why didn't He take care of this before it got so bad?!' But I have started to understand what James chapter 1 means. 'Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.' Every time we encounter something in our lives that seems insurmountable and the only recourse we have is to turn to God, He is able to not only provide for us, but to show us His love! To show us who He is! And each time, I remember a little bit more, how much I can rely on Him, how faithful He is, and how incompetent I am without Him! So when Chris loses his job, or one of my boys is in the hospital, I can 'count it joy'... I can say to God, 'Thank you for reminding me that I can, and should, rely on You at all times!' And as God is faithful and provides for me and for my family, I am made more complete in my understanding of who He is, and hence, who I am in Him.
 
3.  How has God guided or spoken to you?
 
Worship has always been important to me in my walk with God. When I take time to intentionally state that He is God, and that I am not, to praise Him for who He is, to focus on what He has done for me and in my life, I can hear Him most clearly. I feel His love for me and His love for His people. Another time that I hear from God is when I am praying. Whether it be a quiet time with just God and me, or a time of praying for others, God often gives me pictures or stories that are meaningful. Praying in tongues through the Holy Spirit is always a time of edification for me. It builds me up, and makes it easier for me to hear what God is saying at that moment.



One of the things we do in Christ-Life: The Ultimate Journey, is give affirmations to each other. Not the silly, pat-yourself-on-the-back affirmations that everyone thinks of in connection with the SNL skit... but affirmations of truth. Who God is, what reality is, and who we are in Him. One affirmation that I often remember is that we can always turn our faces to God and He will always be there... 'like a flower turning towards the sun.' I love that image! At any time, I can turn my face, my attention to God, and He is ALWAYS there, ready to shine His love and peace upon me. I can ALWAYS look to Him for comfort, and He will ALWAYS be there! He will never leave me, nor forsake me! And NOTHING can separate me from Him!

4.  Is there anything else you would like to add?

I think that one of the most important things that God has been showing me in the last few years... yes years, maybe I'm a slow learner... is what I have to do to follow Him. What do I have to do to be a 'good Christian,' to 'succeed'? Simply say 'yes' to Him. 'Let Your will be done. (Not my will!) Let Your kingdom come. (I'm not the one calling the shots or choosing what direction we are going to go!)' And I don't have to figure it out or know what to do... simply listen to Him and obey. Because He already knows what to do. He is the solution for every situation in life, every problem, every choice. What freedom there is in that knowledge!

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