I lived a life that was good in the eyes of others but not truly living a life alive in Jesus.  I got involved in a bad relationship that ended in the result of my first son born to me at the age of 19. God had different plans for me and how I was going to live a life along side him that was truly alive and not just for show. That summer God used some awesome people in my life to open my eyes to the way I was living and the direction that I was going, and he showed me things like grace and forgiveness and a freedom that I had not felt before. Even though I had been baptized earlier in life, I felt the Holy Spirit wash over me in a whole new way and I felt free and alive in Jesus for the first time in a long time.

I will never forget that part of my life even though some times I would like to, but I know I can always look back and remember what God is capable of and what He has blessed me with since then. When I start to forget how to live for Him, that’s there as a reminder for me. There will always be things in life that will challenge me and I will never be perfect, but if I can open my heart to the Spirit and live for Him I think He will lead me in the right direction.

Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and it is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God.” And 1 John 2:27 says, “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what He teaches is true – it is not a lie. So continue in what He has taught you, and continue to live in Christ.”