The transforming power of God's love: Gail's story
3 March 2025
Along with a small team, including her corps officer (minister), every Friday, Gail lovingly cooks for and serves her community through the ‘Meeting Place’, a community café and safe space at Wodonga Salvation Army. Gail loves chatting with those who come for a cuppa and friendship because, as a survivor of long-term domestic and family violence and loss, she understands the importance of community and connection. This Easter, Gail shares how her faith in Jesus and serving others have transformed her life.
She shares:
I didn’t grow up believing in God. My parents didn’t talk about God at all. They took us out of religious education at school and didn’t even have us christened — saying we could decide when we were older.
I’ve had a hard life. Life didn’t get easier as I grew up. I walked out of home at 16 because I didn’t feel safe.
I got married when I was 23 but my first husband was a drinker, gambler and violent when drunk. I lived with him for over 20 years. I tried to leave many times, but he kept bringing me back. We never had money. He’d tell me he’d paid the rent, and I’d find out he hadn’t, so we’d get kicked out. We moved around a lot.
My second husband was a lovely man — the most beautiful person. We had a wonderful time together before he passed away from a brain tumour just before our twentieth wedding anniversary.
I cared for him in his last years and would pray at his bedside. It was terrible to watch him fade away. He went from 85 kilograms to around 30 kilograms in a few months. I also cared for both my parents before they died.
God’s knocking
I found God through an experience during my second marriage. Night after night, I kept waking at 3am to what I was sure was knocking on my door. I’d ask my husband to get up and check, but there was nothing! It sounded really clear and real to me.
During that time, a financial counsellor suggested I attend a support program at the Salvos. I told the minister who ran the program about the knocking, and she said it was God. She told me to invite him in, and one night, I did. I prayed, saying, “Jesus, if you want me in your life, come in”.
My life changed 100 per cent after that. Before that, even though I cared for others, in my heart it was all about “me, me, me”. I’ve now been a Salvation Army soldier (church member) since 2012. Churches aren’t perfect, but I’ve been shown a lot of care, love and support. It feels like family.
Life for me now is about giving to others. Helping others is also a blessing for me. For the Meeting Place, I shop for ingredients, drop what is needed to the people who cook for the space and I cook and prepare food.
I’ll never be perfect, but I do my very best.
The Meeting Place has been running just over two years, and I used to be in the café [that previously ran at Wodonga Salvos] before that.
The best part is connecting with people. Many who come to our café feel comfortable enough to share their struggles, and I can relate because I’ve been through a lot too.
I know I’m helping others, but really, I just love it too. It helps me as much as anyone!
I couldn’t live without God now. To know what my life was like before and to see what I have now – it’s so different. I used to swear, I used to drink, I didn’t care about people, but mainly about myself.
During and after the death of my husband, God gave me strength. It was just horrific, but God gave me peace and I had the strength to organise his funeral. God’s love gives me peace and comfort, like someone wrapping their arms around me.
I do a Bible study, and I know that God doesn’t answer prayer the way you want [often] but gives you what you need.
Easter sacrifice
One of my sons gave me a copy of the Mel Gibson movie The Passion of the Christ . I watched that and cried. To see what Jesus went through for us really weighs on my heart.
To think Jesus went through that, knowing all his life he would have to go through it for us; it’s awful and it’s wonderful. I’m so grateful that no matter what mistakes I make, God still loves me because of Jesus.