The first time Patrice stepped into Mariners was in January 2002. “I clearly heard Pastor Len preach that the proof of God exists in changed lives. That was exactly what I needed to hear because I desperately wanted a changed life, or at least a change of attitude. Four years into a marital break-up and emotionally drained as a single parent of three children, I accepted an invitation to church from lovely Linda Petty at Baskin Robbins. I came in search of God’s help and healing from my broken heart.”
“That Easter Sunday of 2002, I found myself sobbing as I listened to the Easter message of hope and quietly let Jesus into my heart. A man with a perpetual smile (Jeff) got up in front of the church and shared about the hope he had in Jesus. I paid close attention as I felt a spark of hope within me.”
United in Discovery
The two first met at a new members Discovery group. “The very next month on May 19, 2002, Jeff and I were both baptized along with one other new believer in the ocean behind the HMB Yacht Club. I remember Pastor Paul telling me that this was just the first step in becoming a Christ follower. Jeff and I started talking and soon after became good friends. I had never seen anyone so intent on becoming more like Jesus and his positive attitude was both infectious and magnetic.”
They dated for four years. “He wrote wonderful Christ centered poems to me,” said Patrice. God worked on them both for a long time, and now Jeff was debating asking Patrice to marry him. “I grew up with 5 sisters, never married and there was lots of pressure!” He turned to God again for the decision. As he prayed and listened, God responded, ‘This is the day.’ Jeff proposed to Patrice on bended knee that day and in October of that year Pastor Len joined them in marriage, where they had a potluck celebration with much of the church family present.
Jesus, Be the Center
“From the start, Jesus Christ has been at the center of our marriage. By staying in God’s word (Bible study), praying continually, and attending our life groups, God remains at the center and has blessed us abundantly with His love. He is the glue that binds our marriage.”
Yielding to God’s Holy Spirit enables the couple to love each other with the love Jesus gave us and helps them deal with life’s challenges (such as raising a teenager). “Acting first in kindness makes our home a refuge and a safe haven, said Patrice. “If we make a mistake, which is inevitable, we are quick to make amends and also quick to forgive. Surrendering to God’s will daily allows us to let go and let God be in control and to accept that all good things will come in God’s timing, not ours.” Jeff adds that he never leaves his home without telling Patrice that he loves her.
“I can always count on Jeff to do the right thing,” said Patrice. “We align ourselves with God’s will and the Holy Spirit guides us in how we treat each other.
Spreading Joy through LifeGroup
Jeff also reminds Patrice that they can’t keep it (the JOY) unless they give it away. For the past 15 years Jeff has been part of a Tuesday morning Men’s Life Group lead by Mark Heath. “LifeGroups keep us accountable to each other and to God. God did not intend for us to go through life alone.”
Patrice has found the satisfaction in serving others with the gift of music. “It started in my LifeGroup with my sisters in Christ as they encouraged me to bring my guitar, and then my ukulele, to group to play worship songs. I periodically share my music with the patients at Seton Coastside. My LifeGroup offers me comfort, support, and true friendship, helping me to blossom into the woman that Christ wants me to be. My joy in Christ is here to stay and I will never go back to a life without Jesus at the center!”
By Marina Scofield, Volunteer Storyteller
