Sandra Martin
I grew up under some difficult circumstances.It was fun when I was small but as I got older things got scarey. My parents started having marital problems and divorced when I was in 5th grade or maybe younger. Mom kept things together by working a lot, and my brother and sisters and I took advantage of that. By the time I was 15 I got into drugs, alcohol and skipping school. I didn’t know how to speak up for myself. so I followed the crowd.I was the skinny boyish girl with two younger sisters who were always called cute.So I did whatever to get attention. I thought I had to have a boyfriend and was mistreated by them. By age 24 I was living with a guy and got pregnant, so I married him. By age 27 I knew I wanted a change - what it was I didn’t know. I wanted to keep my family together and teach my children the right way to go.
I was home one night with just my children and me - my husband was out with his friends. I put the children to bed, went to my bedroom and started watching t.v. I saw Billy Graham on, so I watched. I don’t remember every word, but that night my life was changed.What he talked about helped me to understand that I do things that are wrong according to God. I’m a sinner. I understood that Jesus died for my sins,was buried,but came back to life. I understood that I had to admit that I’m a sinner, had to ask God to forgive me and believe Jesus died for me. I had to ask Him into my heart, my life.
It was that simple.I prayed, believed and my life was changed.Istill have struggles but because I have faith in Jesus, I have hope and direction. I have been able to help my children understand Gods’ love. Drugs and alcohol are not a part of my life or my husband’s. My family is together. When I find myself comparing to others I know that all I have to do is LIVE FOR GOD. God is my hope- power-strength-direction-peace. He will and wants to change your life.
Posted in I Made Bad Choices, I Was Wasting My Life ,
July 10th, 2007 at 7:09 pm
Nice story sis, it is a pleasure to know that you are able to tell how god came into your life and changed it.