“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12

My name is Christine Hale: wife of Aaron Hale, mother of five, but most importantly child of God.  1 Corinthians 13:12 has remained one of my favourite verses for many years now.  Mainly because I feel it very much describes my walk with God and my yearning to see Him more fully.  As a Christian it can be infuriating to know of the greatness of our God, and get glimpses of Him and taste His goodness, yet war against myself in my inability to see Him fully, and not to the degree I desire.  My great hope and desire is to see Him face to face in eternity.  My prayer is the Lord hold me fast until that day arrives.  

I grew up in a Christian home where Christ was spoken of freely.  My dad was a Pastor, and often as a child I got to tag along with him as he ministered.  I do not remember an occasion in my life where I did not have some belief in God’s existence and hear of His greatness.  There is not a specific occasion or moment that I can pinpoint my salvation, but there are many moments I can see God’s hand at work in my heart.  As a very young child (six or so) I desired to make a public profession and be baptized.  My father baptized me.  Three years later (nine years old) I began to experience more conviction of my sin and realize that it was my sins for which Christ died.  I felt that my first profession wasn’t in earnest and was baptized yet again!

Throughout my teenage years I can witness God’s kindness in my life in so many ways.  To grow up in a home where hymns were sung, scripture read, Christ proclaimed was such a gift I am thankful for.  Yet I also grew up in a circle with a heavy emphasis on decisions for God, the sinner’s prayer, walking the aisle at church.  I was plagued as a young woman with doubts of my salvation.  I knew my heart was filled with lust, apathy, pride.  How could a Christian struggle this way, and be saved?  Maybe I should say “the prayer” with more earnestness.  My father did point me to the scripture and the fruit of a believer and encouraged me to continue to seek after God, but these were still times of confusion as I struggled to mature as a believer.  

In my last year of highschool, we moved to Northern Canada to serve at a church in Grande Prairie, Alberta.  It was in this period of time, that I felt a burden to serve in ministry in whatever way God desired.  This venue was revealed when soon after Aaron was brought into my life.  He felt led into ministry as a pastor.  Our engagement was short and I married straight out of highschool.  My desire for ministry would be fulfilled as a pastor’s wife.

I am very grateful for my husband.  More than once he has made me uncomfortable in my spiritual walk and challenged me in my faith.  In our early marriage my theology was confronted (as well as my husbands) and we were introduced to the doctrines of grace.  In this time my faith was so rocked that I wondered for many years if I had never even known Christ before.  Looking back though I see God’s hand at work through all my life, I do believe I knew the Lord, but nothing of His holiness and sovereignty in my own life.  These were challenging but fruitful years.  After so many years of being plagued with doubt over my own salvation, the beauty of Christ being the one who held me fast has been such a comfort.  Not by my own efforts, but by His gracious hand.  Doubts still arise, but the groundwork has been laid and Christ has continually drawn me to Himself in hardship.

As of today, I am still being made in His image.  I still fight apathy, pride, myself: but Christ is greater than I am.  I have faith He will finish the task He started.  I am very grateful for my husband, and his leadership in our home and church.  Our church has been such a means of grace to rally together week after week to keep fighting.  My ministry is mainly in my home teaching my children in this season, and ministering to my family (parents and sister) who live with us.  My prayer is to be a good helper to my husband and enable him to minister more effectively.  Although sometimes my view of God is dimmer than I’d like it, I have seen Him and ache for face to face.  “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” V.12