As a child, I was in church every Sunday, like it or not. By my ninth birthday my older brothers and younger sister had publicly accepted Christ as their savior. I believed Christ died for my sins and all the rest but I wanted to live my life as I pleased. I hated God for interfering. I showed my resentment with rebellion toward God and my mother.

When nine, I had an experience that made me think the rapture had taken place and I was left. It was a scary few minutes. However it was another year before I turned my life over to Christ. Every night I asked God to save me but He and I both knew I meant only until I awoke the next morning.

Then, at a revival meeting the preacher preached on our influence on others and the message hit me like a ton of brick. I was willing to live my life a while longer without Christ but I was not willing to risk leading my friends toward hell. I was the first one down front at the invitation.

The main purpose of my life since has been to influence others toward Christ. Fear may have caused me to turn my life over to Christ but love and appreciation keeps me committed. John 14:21 states that if we keep his commandments Christ will reveal Himself to us. Through miraculous help and protection in bad situations He has shown His care of and love for me many many times. Life has been difficult and many things did not work out the way I wanted but I could see Him best in the hard times and looking back, things turned out best for me. God’s peace, joy, assurance, comfort, and fellowship must be experienced to obtain the smallest understanding of the abundant life He offers us.