I was the youngest in my family. Mom and Dad were very active in our church and we were there “every time the door was opened”. I remember thinking that I was born a christian because everyone that I knew was a christian. As I grew older I sensed something was wrong. I remember feeling afraid… of the dark, of being alone, ect.. I began to realize that I didn’t have what others in my family had. Everytime we went to church I felt a need to go to the alter and pray, but I wouldn’t. I was still afraid.

Our church had a revival meeting, and on Monday night, the 1st night of the meeting, I had made up my mind that if the preacher invited us to come pray at the end of the service that I was going. I had been thinking about this for several weeks. Sure enough, he did invite anyone to come for prayer. I told my Mom that I wanted to go pray. She went with me, and I told her that I knew that I needed Jesus in my heart. She showed me scriptures that I alreay knew. I told her (and GOd) that I knew that I was a sinner and that Jesus died to pay for my sins. I knew he raised from the dead and was God himself. As a 9 year old child, I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart. Immediately, I had sense of relief and happiness.

After I asked Jesus into my life, I grew in my child-like faith. As I got older, I rebelled and walked away from the LORD, but always sensed that HE was with me, calling me back to himself. As an adult, my relationship with Christ has sustained me through difficult times. I still have to contend with my selfish nature, and often find myself needing to ask for forgiveness and cleansing. But I have a peace in my heart, and a stability in my life that can only come through a real relationship with Jesus. I have a hope and purpose that can only be explained by the eternal hope that I have in Him.