God Knows My Destiny!

Silvia Tărniceriu was born September 29, 1951 to a poor Christian family in Iaşi, Romania.
The Soviet Union was still very much in power at the time, and as Silvia grew up, persecution towards the believers increased.
At school, evolution and atheism were enforced and taught, making it very difficult for children from Christian families. Silvia and her eleven other siblings faced ridicule and being spit upon every day they went to school.
As a thirteen year old, Silvia decided to put a sermon she heard to the test. At church, the pastor had tenderly addressed the children. “You children at school are being taught that there is no God...Ask God to reveal Himself to you personally...You can find out for yourselves that God is real and that He cares for you.”
That night, Silvia knelt beside her bed and poured out her heart to her Creator. In a practical and child-like fashion, she begged God to reveal Himself to her in a special way. She told Him all about what she faced at school and what the pastor said. Then she told the Lord that she needed a coat, sweater and shoes, adding that she wanted Him to send one more thing so that she could be absolutely sure that He existed.
Several weeks later, Tata (Daddy) Tărniceriu came home from work with a package in his arms. All the children wanted to know what was in the box, especially since the writing on the outside looked foreign. After thanking God for whatever was in the package, they opened it up. One by one, a girl’s coat, sweater and pair of shoes were lifted out of the box...all of them fit Silvia. It was then the young girl realized that Jesus had sent her one more thing to confirm His existence and His love for her.
“I forgot to tell Him what size I am! God knows my size!” she cried, tears of joy running down her cheeks. From then on, Silvia put her trust in Jesus, and at the age of fifteen repented of her sins and surrendered herself to the Saviour. “God knows my size!” became her testimony through the years.
The mighty God who proved to her His existence, gave her courage to smuggle Bibles from the time she was fifteen. (Bibles were banned from Communist Europe.) The Lord was with her when she went to high school, as well as when she taught for a year at a village school. Jesus gave her the courage to go against the Communist rules, teaching children howt o know their Creator and sing praises to Him. He was her Protector and sustenance when she went to prison for His Name’s sake.
When, in the 1980’s Silvia was miraculously released from prison, she and a friend were able to come to America. From here they ministered to their people by sending money, food and clothing back to Romania.
Silvia’s vibrant testimony touched thousands of lives. Her joyful spirit, heart to serve, and devotion to her Saviour Jesus, shone forth to both rich man and beggar. Silvia admonished all was this advice: “You must die to your own selfish desires so that Jesus can work through you...Jesus must come first in your life, and He needs to be the One you talk about. If you don’t talk about Him, you have nothing real to say. Ask Jesus to take the fear of man away from you, so that you can do anything He asks you to do...Let God be everything you need—don’t run ahead of Him.”
In 2009, it was discovered that Silvia had cancer. For a while, she was able to receive treatment for it and it went into recession. However, in 2013, Jesus wanted His precious child to come home to Him, and gently allowed the cancer to take her life.
May all who hear and read of this dear lady be inspired to reconsider what your life is all about. Our life here on earth is not to waste on drugs, drinking alcohol, and all other riotous living. It is about giving up our sins and all of our sinful desires to serve the One who died for us. It means repenting of sin and turning to Jesus, letting those selfish hopes and dreams die, and making Jesus’ purpose for us our own. Seek His wisdom that you may be filled with His love and take on His character, for “God knows your size, path and destiny”!

You must know, friend of mine of my Saviour, Lord Divine—
He is breath, life to me, He from sin has set me free.
*You must know him my friend,
learn to love and depend on my precious, great King
for whom I now sing! Come to Christ, Come to Christ!

*Life is hard, days are few every day our trials are new—
We need help from above to bring guidance, help and love!
I am soon going Home, and no more shall I now roam!
When I cross o’er the tide, Jesus’ arms are open wide!
*I can hear angels sing! Hear their lovely voices ring!
with the anthem of praise million voices are raised,
Praise the Lamb! Praise the Lamb!

*Oh, my friend, please come too!
Serve Him ever and be true—
Wait on Christ for His will, read His Word and be still!
*You must know him my friend,
learn to love and depend on my precious, great King
for whom I now sing! Come to Christ, Come to Christ!*

Finl’y dear, Serve the Lord as He bids you by His Word!
Speak the Gospel and choose righteousness, the Gospel truth.
Serve the Lord now and aye ‘til we meet in the sky!
Then we’ll praise Jesus Christ—
thank Him that He paid the price! And rejoice, And rejoice!
By Rebecca Lee, daughter of Pastor David Lee, NT Fellowship