I got permission from the author of this testimony to share it with you guys what he wrote about one of my new songs “Could It Be”. Whenever I feel overwhelmed and like I want to quit, I get emails like this one that remind me of the purpose behind the music. Be encouraged…
Anthony
“Often times musicians, churches and people judge there success on there amount of followers and supporters they have. I just want to tell Anthony and his musicians and everyone involved within his music, that you your success has already far exceeded what you could imagine. You have saved my life. The song, “Could it Be” has particularly hit me hard. It has truly reached my heavy heart. In order for you to understand what you have for me, I would like to tell you a little of my background, I know your all busy but just to take the time to read this letter would truly mean the world to me. These past two years in my life have been the hardest by far for me. I got into a relationship as a junior in high school, She didn’t share my faith and it cause for me to conform and sacrifice my morals in many ways in order to please her and love her in the way I wanted too. Looking back, I completely lost my faith, she took the love that should of been for God and took a place in my heart she had no busness being in. I was blinded by the world and just got so far off track in my life, it wasn’t till a few weeks ago for me to realize just how far off I was. I planned on asking her hand in marriage, I had bought a ring for her for Christmas and gave it to her, I felt our life hit a point where we were ready, she began to seek God and our lives were coming together but, “It wasn’t worth it, to give myself away.” Days after I asked her to marry me, I found out lies that she had been keeping from me, and broken trust that had been shattered years before. I was crushed, I thought my world came to an end. That was straw that broke the Camel’s back. I soon came to the reality, for years I hadn’t dealt with pains, prescription drug abuse, anger, physical abuse as a child, being exposed to pornography at the age of 7 and lasted throughout my life. All my pain had been numbed. My broken engagement just days after I felt like I was on top of the world, brought everything down. I had to go to rehab, I began to cut myself, I had suicidal thoughts, I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks. I had lost it all. I began rehab, therapy, spiritual counseling and many other methods to not fix me, but heal me. Looking back, I am on the recovery process and now, “the question that WAS haunting and somehow comforting.” I realized that through all my pain. God was calling me back into his arms. I had lost sight of what was truly important in my life. It took me losing it all to find something worth it all. Days after I came to the place of recovery and acceptance, your CD came out. I ordered it online to get a signed copy, but the moment it came it I couldn’t wait, I had to buy it on itunes. I went to a quiet gazebo at school at 11 O clock at night and sat looking over the Hudson river. I calmed my music ADD and allowed and went through every song. Then it came, the song that changed my life, “Could it Be.” At that moment by myself in nature I broke with tears flowing I went down to my knees and I realized. Could it be that through all of this God was there the whole time, just waiting for me to realize that giving myself and wanting to love was never enough. All I needed was God’s love to satisfy. That song was for me. I truly believe that God placed in your heart this song, along with many reasons, but knew that this song would touch me. You have helped me realized through your lyrics and music. What I must do to not just FIX myself but to HEAL myself. You have helped save my life. There is no greater reward in touching people than what you have given to me and you need to know how much you have done for me. Thank You. I hope to hear from you. God Bless.”
With the most humble and real thank you,
Ian Pena
PS – I attached a picture that I thought you might like
