 As a child growing up my parents always encouraged me to walk with the Lord. I received Jesus as my personal Savior at the age of 12 and I loved Jesus with all my heart. Yet, as I got older I lost my way and I started to question my faith and God. My home life was chaotic and I allowed these circumstances to make me bitter and angry so I rebelled against my parents and God.
I began to look to the world and wanted to taste what everyone was describing has “having fun”. I started drinking and experimenting with drugs. I continued to attend church faithfully even though I didn’t change the way I was living. I suppose I was afraid to move too far from God. I now understand that I was just a confused, hurt and angry teenager.
I was so blessed to have Christians in my life that cared enough about me to just love me with the love of Christ. Even in my rebellion they reached out to me. I knew I had a choice to make – either I was to walk with God or walk away from God.
One day while sitting at a friend’s house partying I realized even though I was totally surrounded by people I had never felt so lonely in my life. I remember thinking to myself, “How did I become this person?” I was not “having fun” and I was sickened by the darkness that surrounded me. After I left all my friends that day I went home and got on my knees in my room and cried out to God. I made a decision to surrender my life to totally and completely to Him. I was a sinner in need of a Savior. God has made Himself so real to me – in ways I never thought possible.
I am so thankful today that God revealed to me the Truth and has made me new. My love for God grows deeper as I continue on this walk with Him. I’m so thankful for the grace He has poured out on me and my life. God has given me a life that is more than I could have ever imagined.
I am married to a wonderful man, Doug, who loves God and is a wonderful father to our 6 year old son Daniel. We serve together in the Children’s Ministry here at Calvary Chapel Apple Valley. In December 2009, I was asked to come on staff as the church secretary, I know the Lord has been preparing my heart for this position and I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve my church and the pastoral staff in this capacity.
|
