Before I became a Christian I thought I had it all figured out. I was one of those people who went to church and “acted” like a Christian on Sunday, but then was a complete different person Monday through Saturday. I had a few tramatic events occur in my life when I was little and this sent me on what would be a long road of self destructive behavior up until my early twenties. I knew to “act” Christian in front of the right people, but I did not live it when no one was looking.

I knew that I was a sinner. I knew that I needed to ask Christ to come into my heart and forgive me, but I was just to selflish. I could not handle letting go of all my sin. Mike (my husband) and I had just started coming to First North in 2001 when our church help host the Franklin Graham Festival. We went on the third night and sat in the back. I knew all the church lingo. I was raised in church, I went to a Christian school. I had all this knowledge in my head, but I did not live it. Towards the end Franklin asked if we were 100% sure if we died that we would go to Heaven. No one had ever asked me that quite that way. I knew I had all the head knowledge but that I did not have Christ in my heart, nor was He Lord of my life. I knew that I had been to selfish to give it all to Him. At the end of the sermon Franklin asked us to bow our heads and pray. He told us if we were not sure if we would go to Heaven that it was simple. Just tell God you know you have sinned. You know you are not perfect. He told us if we would just ask Him, He would come in.

I said that prayer that night and now I do have that assurance that if I died today I know I will go to Heaven. I still mage HUGE mistakes, but He is always there full of grace and mercy leading me and teaching me and empowering me every step of the way.