I was raised in a remote small town in Missouri. My home life did not involve church or talking about having a relationship with Jesus. My father and mother were very young parents trying to raise four little ones. They worked very hard to make sure we had food, shelter, and clothing. They loved us dearly, but did not know the Lord as their personal Savior.
When I was in my early twenties, I found myself divorced with two small boys. I moved from my small town for a better career change so that I could give my children a life of more opportunities. So here I am – a single mom in a new city with no friends or family close by, with a new job, home, and lifestyle. I loved my children dearly, as my parents had loved me, but still no relationship with God.
That was all about to change, and God used a three-week-old newspaper to begin my journey. I needed to check the classified section of a paper to look for a babysitter. The paper I came across was three weeks old, and because of that, I started to put it down; however, a voice inside me said, “Go ahead and look.” There was a perfect candidate in the neighborhood I needed. I called the number, and Jane, the lovely young mother that was my age, had an opening for my children.
Soon Jane invited me and my chidren to visit her family’s church. I made excuses and did not take her up on her first few invites, because I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t think of myself as worthy or living a life cleaned up enough for God – after all, I was a divorced single mom, living a worldly lifestyle. The third time Jane invited me I decided to be brave and say yes.
That was a life-changing decision that not only affected my life, but my children’s lives, and now, almost 30 years later, my grandchildren’s lives as well.
As I sat in church with Jane and listened to the message, I heard the GREAT news that Jesus said come as you are with all your flaws and messiness.
My new life began when I asked God into my heart….
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
My new life in Christ came with a new purpose for living and the assurance of heaven when I die. I thank and praise God for His grace, which allowed a sinner like me to have forgiveness of sins and the opportunity to serve and have fellowship with Him both now and forever!
There has never been a day of regret. Troubles, yes. Struggles, yes. Painful circumstances, yes. Regret, no!
If you do not personally know and love the Lord Jesus Christ, I encourage you to read the Gospel of John in the New Testament, and to attend a Bible-believing church where you can learn more of the living and true God and His so great salvation, which He wants you to have!
You will never regret believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and becoming a child of God with a new life in Christ; one with joy unspeakable and full of glory!