God Gave Me a Promotion
CBN.com The typical ‘American dream’ for many is a devoted spouse, healthy, happy kids, at least two cars, and a beautiful home. But for Sheila Ortiz, that’s all it was – a dream.
“My three, young sons and I were left in a situation of poverty in 1997 when I got divorced. We barely had food in the house. The kids needed clothing, needed shoes. I needed to pay bills and I didn’t have the means. I was only making $6,000 a year back then,” she says.
For years Sheila struggled just to buy food. One day, while working at her boss’s home, Sheila reached her breaking point.
“It was right around lunch time and he asked me to go and get something from the refrigerator, and I did,” she says. “I opened that refrigerator… it hit me. I’d never seen a house with so many things in the refrigerator – all this food. I actually started to cry because I was thinking, I barely have anything in my house for my kids.”
Sheila called upon God and eventually gave her life to Jesus. Memories of her grandmother led her to do one more thing – watch The 700 Club.
“She would make us sit down and watch The 700 Club in Spanish back in Puerto Rico,” Sheila recalls. “Many years later, when I was alone and trying to learn more about God since I became a Christian, I got back into seeing The 700 Club. And it was awesome.”
Sheila also learned the principle of God blessing us as we bless others. She knew God wanted her to give to others through CBN.
“I made my pledge and started sending $20, which was a lot for somebody in my situation. But God was so good. He was so faithful. God just turned it around almost in no time,” she explains. “I got a new job that I didn’t even look for. I was blessed with a position with these doctors, and they gave me a job where I had benefits, which I didn’t have before, and better pay, almost right after I started my pledge.”
With hope for the future, Sheila decided to get an education so that she and her children could have an even better life. Going back to school was hard and expensive. But Sheila still gave to CBN. In fact, she gave more!
Says Sheila, “I increased my pledge, and at some point, I went up to the 2,500 level [$209 per month]. After I graduated, I was blessed with a promotion at work. Still the same job, same doctors. I got a raise of about $1,000 a month, which was fantastic.”
When Sheila increased her giving to the Founders level ($417 a month), the blessings kept coming.
“I had a little house back then when I had the boys, when we were little and we were going through all this hardship,” says Sheila. “We saved for about two years, and God blessed me with this house.”
Sheila wanted to give more to God through CBN and honor her grandmother. She found the perfect way to do both.
Says Sheila, “I actually pledged a well in honor of my grandmother, in honor of that seed she planted so long ago. And it’s going to be in Central America, so I’m excited about that because Spanish speaking people are going to be able to benefit.
“I love CBN because they give me the opportunity to bless others just like God has blessed me.”
Sheila saw the rewards of applying the Law of Reciprocity -- "Give and it shall be given to you" -- by giving to CBN. Here is your chance to give unto the Lord and see your dollars bring truth to hurting people, feed and clothe needy children, keep The 700 Club Prayer Counseling Center phone lines operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and provide medical care to those who need a tangible touch of God's love. Become a CBN partner today!
