GOOD HOPE, Ala.- Good Hope senior band member Kloe Thurman calls her relationship with God a blessing. She went through some tough times early on in her life, but God and a loving, supportive adopted family helped her overcome her early struggles. She shared a trio of Bible verses that mean the world to her.
“God means so much to me. He has saved and brought me through so much. I was a foster kid due to abuse in a previous home. I always thought I’ll never find a family who truly and deeply loves me, then God blessed me with a true Godly, loving family. I’ve been with them for three years now and have been adopted by them. I continue to give God the glory for saving me from the previous home and placing me with this one. God also means so much to me, because He has kept me alive. When I was 13, I tried to end my life, but then I heard a voice saying, ‘You have greater things ahead of you. Don’t end it now’. So, I listened and was scared, but God has given me a testimony to be able to share with others, about what God has done for me and in my life. He truly is my Savior.” Thurman said.
She added, “My whole adopted family means the world to me. I never have really trusted anyone as much as I trust and truly love these people. From day one, they welcomed me with open arms and loved me like I’ve always been theirs. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They have helped me live a Godly lifestyle by showing me that God will never turn from you but will always be by your side. It has also helped shape who I am by helping me pick what peers to be around that will influence me for the good and not for the bad. My favorite Bible verses are Romans 8:15: ‘For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba, Father!”, John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that who so ever believe in Him shall live an everlasting life’, and Hebrews 11:1: ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’. These verses are what I’ve leaned on through my struggles. They have always given me reassurance that everything is and will be okay.”
Kloe wants to help people of all ages find God and being that kind of role model to the kids in and outside of school is extremely important to her as well. She’s so blessed to have some Godly role models in her life that has helped her during her walk with God.
“It is very important to help people of all ages find God. I believe that if they learn about Him, no matter the age, they will truly know how much God loves them and will do anything and everything for that person,” Thurman said. “Being a role model for the kids in and outside of school means a lot to me. Sharing the Word with your peers in school can show that you’re not afraid to show your beliefs, but it can also reach non-believers, and they will come to you with questions. You can show them the answer from God’s Word. It’s the same when you’re not in school. If I see that someone is struggling and needs encouragement, I’m not afraid to share God’s Word and tell them He has and will always be here for you.”
Kloe added, “My Godly role models would have to be my parents, Justin and Paige Thurman, along with my very close friends, Chris and Carol Anne Hopper. They mean everything to me. They have shown me what God has done in their lives, and how He keeps working.”
She shared a special group that she was a part of her freshman year and how it changed everyone’s life. She was in the band for four years and the friendships, along with sharing their Godly experiences with each other, brought them even closer together and helped them get closer to God in the process.
“My ninth-grade year, my English class made a group called Great Hope in Good Hope. It was students from Good Hope sharing their stories about addiction, abuse, adoptions, and how God has helped us get through it. I shared my experience about being a foster kid and getting adopted, and how God had that plan laid out for me. I just had to follow His way and what He had planned for me. There were many kids who came up to me afterwards, thanking me for the words of courage to keep going and that greater things are up ahead. Just keep your eyes set on Him,” Thurman said. “I enjoyed that experience so much. The friendships I made along the way are very special to me. I have been able to share the Word with my friends, and we’ve been able to talk about our experiences. It made our friendships very close. It’s important to have that type of bond in and outside of band, because God shows you so many insights about who your friends really are.”
Kloe took away so much from the band directors that she had during her time in the band. She shared some of her favorite memories and what she will remember the most about being in the band.
“What I learned from my band directors is that it’s always important to show love and compassion for each other, because you never know what they’re going through outside of the band. They have shown me to always love everyone and to care for them like God does,” she said. “My favorite band memories would have to be when we went to Dollywood one year, and our charter bus broke down three times. We were all saying that it was a sign from God that we should’ve stayed at Dollywood. Another one has to be when we received All-Superior ratings at competition one year. What I will remember the most about being in the band is it’s not about how talented you are. It’s about how much you love it.”
Kloe gave some advice to those people seeking a relationship with God but are new when it comes to doing that. She’s been a huge inspiration to so many kids, and she has learned a very important thing about herself during her journey.
“I would say find you a church that feels like home to you and find you a group of people that love to share the God’s Word. Start little and watch His faith grow in you,” she said. “I think I’ve been a big inspiration to so many kids just by showing the love of God to them, just like I would to anyone I meet. A very important thing that I’ve taken away during my journey is that God will not answer what you ask for right away, but if you keep asking, God will make a way.”
