What was life like before you met Jesus?
Growing up, we moved around often due to my dad's job changes. My parents would take us to church about once a month, but with the frequent moves came different churches and difficulty making connections with people. Even more difficult was understanding who this Jesus person was and how he fit into the whole church thing. When I got married and had kids, I thought it might be a good idea to start going to church again to help instill some moral values. My husband was against it, so I went alone with the kids when I could. Over the years, my marriage deteriorated along with my self-esteem. I read countless self-help books but still had an empty feeling in my soul. I remember praying to God for a sign of what I should do without really getting a clear picture. When the verbal and emotional abuse from my husband turned physical, I found the courage to file for divorce and move back to Iowa.
How did you meet Jesus?
A friend from work, who was always proclaiming the love of Jesus, invited me to her church and Bible Study group. I felt broken and unworthy, but I kept seeking this God, and his mercy that my friend told me was there for the asking. She told me that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and I am saved by simply believing in Him! I no longer have to live under fear, shame, and doubt. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:17. Naturally, it took a while for me to truly believe, but I kept studying the Word, attending church and Bible Studies. The moment I knew that God was real and believed that Jesus is truly my savior was when my car went off the road during a snowstorm. I didn't see a bend in the road, and my back tire went off on the soft shoulder. When I tried to bring it back on the road, my car started fishtailing, and I couldn't keep it on the road. I exclaimed, "Jesus, my life is in your hands, please help" and the car slid into the ditch. I was calm and relieved when it finally stopped, quite a ways away from the road. The next day, when I went back to get my car out, I saw that it was just inches from wrapping around a light pole. It was then that I realized that Jesus had answered my prayer, and the calmness I felt was his presence in my life.
After being saved by Jesus, what is your life like now?
Since then, I've continued to pray to God and received many answers and blessings along the way. Prayers for health and healing of family members were answered, as well as new and better job offers when needed. I was Baptized as an infant, so I always believed I was a Christian because of that. I feel a new identity with Christ because I truly understand what He did for me. That empty hole in my soul has been filled with the love of Jesus. My mind and heart have been transformed as I have learned to lean on Jesus for strength and have developed a passion for His Word. I'm being Baptized now in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the next step in my faith journey and to show my commitment to serving Him. With this, I'm reminded of verses 5-7 in the Book of Titus; "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." He is my Savior daily; I seek his guidance in everything and feel peace and joy knowing and trusting that everything is in his hands.