As a teenager my life was good. I had a stable home life, parents that loved each other and their children, plenty of friends and a successful school life. I thought I had it all. I was not looking for anything more.

During those years however many different people were telling me about Jesus. A neighbor took me to church and a friend invited me to her house where her parents lead a Bible study. I attended another Bible study that some kids in my high school had at their house. It was all new to me. I had no knowledge about God or the Bible so I was curious. I asked a thousand questions during Vacation Bible School and the pastor of my friend’s church let me ask away. He encouraged me to understand who Jesus was and to know for myself what God had done for me. I had heard the fact that Jesus died for my sins many times but that summer, I accepted for myself that God was indeed who He said He was and I admitted who I was, a sinner (someone who did what I thought was good enough with no regard to God). I knew that without God I would continue on a path of just doing whatever and whenever as long as it pleased me. I saw that life with God was a lot bigger than my narrow vision.

Life with God is amazing. I know without a doubt that I am loved. I know what is best for my life because I study the Bible. I understand why I am where I am in life and I have purpose and focus that is not only about selfish desires. I care about what God cares about. I have a life of peace and joy and in the midst of this world that alone is a miracle!