Baptism | Valerie Mindolovich

Baptism | Valerie Mindolovich

May 1, 2022 |


What was life like before you met Jesus?

As far back as I can remember I have wanted to feel accepted. I think it started with my dad, who I always felt was critical of me. The feeling of not being accepted continued to grow as I attended a private Catholic school for 8 years of my life. There were cliques, and I was not part of them. 

I feel like many of my subsequent choices stem from those two overarching events in my life. I was raised Catholic but we never really talked about having a relationship with God or about religion. We were told that it was a sin to lie. To "be good". Do good and be good and then you will get to heaven. If you sin, you won't go to heaven. I don't remember ever really praying, except to say grace before eating dinner every night. 

So, from high school and beyond, my choices were: promiscuity, drugs, alcohol, partying, and impulsive spending sprees. I was a rebel in every sense of the word. Rebelling against what good girls do. At the same time though, I was searching. I wanted to be accepted but really, truly, didn't know how to be. I felt that in order to be accepted I had to take on the personality of whoever I was with because I did not feel like I was good enough as I was. 

How did you meet Jesus?

During this time I got married, divorced, and married again. I moved from Portland, OR to Cedar Rapids, and had two children. Both children under the age of 3 were showing alarming signs of developmental, and physical delay. The next 10 years were a whirlwind of doctor appointments, tests, therapies, trying to make ends meet, and basically just trying to survive day to day. This was a really hard time for my whole family. This was in the early 2000s and not much was known about autism or food allergies. I found myself staying up after the kids were in bed to do my own research to try and help them heal. The doctors could not give us answers. I did not know where to turn. Looking back, I cannot fathom how I was able to make it through without the Lord. The answer is, not very well. 

I came from a background where you were supposed to revere God but there was no talk of a relationship with God or intimacy with God. Confession to a Priest is what solidified in my mind that there was a chasm that lay between God and myself. I was not worthy. 

It was at this low point in my life that I was searching for anything to help me fill the void. I tried Buddhism, New Age, and even Wiccan! My daughter got invited to go to church with her friend whose father was a Pastor and I took her. My daughter loved the church and wanted to go back so I kept taking her. I, however, still felt the chasm between God and myself, but desperately wanted to believe. I prayed to Him, "I want to believe but I have so much doubt in my heart." It was not an overnight thing for me. I had to search; I started reading the bible, devotionals, books by Christian authors, and of course, praying. It is hard when you feel like the bible is a fairy tale to reconcile yourself to the belief that it is real. The Truth. The Good News. There is almost a feeling of "am I being brainwashed?" 

The verse I clung to at this time was Psalm 25:5

Then, it happened. It was after I had had a particularly bad day. I remember that I felt lost and alone, with nowhere to turn. At that moment, I felt a feeling of love and peace wash over me. That is the only way I can describe it. Love, but not love as I had ever felt love before. I knew right then that everything was going to be ok and I became truly saved and a full-fledged believer. From that time on, I put my trust in Christ. 

After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?

Slowly, Christ brought people into my life for support for me and my family, my kids, especially. I have many examples of how God has touched my life since I became a believer and followed His path. Some of these are interventions and therapies plus diagnosis for my children, my husband's career, choosing to homeschool, and choosing a church and church family. The best part is that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I know this is not my home. I know that I have eternal life in Jesus Christ who died for me! I know who I am in Jesus. I am loved, called, and ACCEPTED. I was knit together in my mother's womb. I do not need the acceptance of this world because I am accepted by Christ and will have everlasting life with Him.


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