I've been convicted about writing this out for, oh, a couple months now and I've been putting God off. With all that is going on in the world right now, I can't put Him off any longer. It may not be much, but it's my story of how I came to Jesus and what He has done and is doing in my life.
I've been in church all my life. Literally, even before I was born. My babysitter before I went to school is a pastor's wife. My parents sent me to a Christian school until it closed after my 2nd grade year. That year (I was 7), I distinctly remember a Bible workbook that we did. I also remember that year that my 2 closest friends became Christians, or at least let everyone know at that time that they knew Jesus. My 2nd grade teacher went through the plan of salvation and I said a prayer and raised my hand that I had asked Jesus into my heart. Now, I don't know for sure that at that time I really made a decision for the Lord. I may have done it just because my 2 friends had. In 7th grade, I made a similar "decision." Again, not sure if it was a real one at that time. When I was 15, between my sophomore and junior years of high school, I went to a youth revival at a local church where we watched a video on hell. Don't remember a thing about the night, except for watching the video and praying that night and asking God to show me the condition of my heart. He did. I felt a literal burning in my chest. I truly believe that night changed my life. The first thing I could see that was different was that I quit wearing my Christian t-shirts that I had worn with abandon before. I also quit writing "I love Jesus" on my book covers. Things changed again when I went to college. I started growing spiritually. I read my Bible and prayed more. I got married shortly after college graduation and my spiritual life slacked off again. Yes, we attended church, but just that really isn't enough to keep a relationship with Jesus strong. Since then, it's been an on again/off again relationship. Jesus is always there, but I don't always do *my* part to keep the relationship strong. I'm human and the flesh gets in the way. When I read my Bible and pray, life isn't necessarily easier. Sometimes it's harder because I am doing what I'm supposed to and Satan doesn't like that. There is more inner peace when I am doing my part.
I also want to share some ways that I've seen evidence of God in my life. I went to a small Baptist college where weekly chapel services were required. One particular chapel service during my sophomore year was about the mission trips that were offered in the next year and a half. They typically made trips to Israel, Ireland, and Nicaragua. The one that caught my attention that day was the announcement that a group would be going to Argentina the following year. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that day that I would be going on that trip. Knew it. When I found out that we would be there for mission meeting, I was excited because I would get to see my uncle, who at that time was a missionary to Chile. Turns out, he wasn't there that year. God provided most of the funds for the trip through other people, so not much came out of my pocket. The team's purpose in Argentina was to teach the missionary kids Vacation Bible School while their parents were in meetings. I'm not a teacher. At all. However, I was put with the preschoolers and most of what I had to do was just play with them. My favorite part of my mission trip story is that I met my husband while there. His parents were missionaries to Argentina. He was there on Christmas break to visit his family. (The only trip he made back after coming to the States for college). We spent all of 8 days together. Three months later, with him in SC and me in AL, we were talking marriage. A year and a half later and only 6 weeks spent in each others' presence over the course of that year and a half, we got married and this July we will celebrate 12 years.
Another event that stands out in my mind is the end of my time working at a daycare. The situation was dire, at best. We weren't being paid like we were supposed to and it was just not a fun place to be anymore. God provided me with a group of people to pray about the situation. He also provided a job doing something I love, medical transcription...from home. While I was contemplating and praying about what to do before I got the job, He gave me a line from one of Casting Crown's songs. I had not heard the song ALL day and here this line popped into my head. The same day, a friend said that sometimes you just have to step out in faith. Okay. I did it. I did not have a clue if I would even make enough money to cover what Clayton's paycheck didn't. (I do). I started working from home in October 2009. That same year, almost 2 months later, Clayton was in a motorcycle accident that left him with a ripped open knee and a broken leg. He was in the hospital for 5 days after the accident. I was able to take the entire week off work with NO questions asked. No pressure to start working again. I was able to be home with my husband and take care of him until he was able to get around better and do for himself. Another way that God showed off before the accident was that I had rearranged our bedroom just weeks prior. Before I moved the furniture, there is no way he would have been able to get to his side of the bed with the walker. After, he was right next to the bathroom door. God provided enough insurance money from this accident that we are currently debt free save the house.
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