Pam Johnson
I grew up in the small town of Campobello. I was the youngest of three. My brother and sister were 12 and 10 years older than me respectfully. Life at home was not good. My mom and dad fought all the time. However, through all the fighting, we managed to be involved in our church. We were having a revival in the spring when I was 8 years old. When the invitation came , I went down to the front of the church at the close of the service and our minister told me he was so glad I had made the decision to follow God and wanted to be baptized. No one ever talked to me again about it. I guess they thought I knew everything I needed to know or else they didn’t know what to tell me. I thought I was saved, but I wasn’t. I had not asked Jesus into my life.
It wasn’t until 2 years ago that I can truly remember the time that I asked Jesus into my life. My mom was very ill. I was going back and forth to the hospital. I was so worn out that I remember telling God, “I can’t do this anymore.” I asked Him to come into my life and He did. Our church had taught me the sinners’ prayer. I had to confess all my sin to Him, acknowledge that Jesus died, was buried, and rose to life in 3 days. I also had the opportunity to witness to my mom the week she died. She also accepted Jesus as her Savior and that gives me such peace to know that she is in heaven with Him now.
My life before Jesus was very depressing and “like a chore.” I was getting the job done but I did not have a heart for God and His ministry. I prayed that He would give me the desire to be in His house and serve Him and He did. I now live by faith, meaning that I have put my trust in God. Even though I am saved, I still have trying times. My life is not perfect and I have to ask Jesus every day to forgive me of my sins. The greatest thing about being a Christian is that each day is like a new beginning. Thank goodness He is the God of second-chances. I have a quiet time every day by reading God’s Word in the Bible and praying daily. This is the only way to have a personal relationship with Him. I now have the understanding that He is in control, not me. I am so glad Jesus is in my life.
Posted in I Grew Up in Church, I Thought I was a Christian ,
