I gave my life to Jesus.

About 4 or 5 years ago, a friend challenged me to think about what it was I so adamantly disbelieved in. I had no idea. I stood there speechless as she illustrated God with words of beauty, hope, and love. As i was about to get into my car, she stuck a Bible in my purse and told me to give Him a chance. I always believed that there was something “more” to life but all i felt was emptiness for unknown reasons. I had been so stubborn about the idea of believing… i don’t even know where that unrelenting disfavor towards God came from. For the first time, i felt this strange and eager feeling to get to know God, so i started reading the Bible that night. It was unnerving, I started on page one and thought i was going to hell for all my sins. It was also confusing, being it was a King James version. I am thankful, my friend Danielle was there to help. She introduced me to new people, invited me to church and Bible study. She is an amazing example of God using individuals to share the good news, I know He chose her specifically. I would love to say, that’s it. That i fell in Love with Jesus and established a strong unswerving faith, but i didn’t. When i moved back to Phoenix three years ago, i didn’t have any friends here with faith. I fell back into my “dark place” and my Bible and relationship with Jesus started collecting dust. I just gave up hope…. This past August, i was at a bar with friends. Brittany and i were discussing something i don’t recall, i was paying more attention to my drink in hand, but all of a sudden i remember saying, “Wait! You believe in God?! You’re going to church??” I don’t know what she said that made me pay attention, but it was like a light turning on. That next day i started reading The Purpose Driven life, for the second time, and accompanied my friend to Praxis that following Sunday. Once more, God used an amazing person to reach out to me, I feel blessed that He never gave up on me. God was always there tapping me on the shoulder.. One of my favorite books is The Little Prince. The quote that was most prominent to me, was the fox’s secret, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Sounds almost identical to 2 Corinthians 4:18, So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. There He was, back in high school, and i didn’t even know it. I can finally say, without a doubt, that i feel the strength, hope and love of Jesus Christ. I have begun to change the way i think and live, little by little, and it’s still happening. Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” I want to be that light for others, the same way Danielle and Brittany were to me.

Lately I find my prayers are asking God to give me something. Reality is, most of us don’t need anything. If you are reading this right now, your heart is beating and you are breathing. I think that is enough to be thankful for. The Bible clearly states there will be hardships, and plainly put, crap we don’t really want to deal with. David said:

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, Or the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil,for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:1-4

Today, I pray to follow David’s lead and thank God for what He has already given me.