I was 15 when a baptism class was announced. I’d been putting it aside because I didn’t know what my story was. I’m not charismatic, but the Holy Spirit has made Himself clear to me, and this was the first time. I could not physically stand up. God knew it would take the power of the Holy Spirit to get me in that dunk tank, so send Him, He did! I heard in my soul that He needed me to be obedient in taking this step. I didn’t know what for, but I knew I could trust Him. I was baptized March 6, 2005. My baptism was necessary in order for God to continue the work He wanted, full of blessing! He was testing my obedience in the small things, which would later lead to having to choose obedience in the bigger things.

I said that God is a meddler, and I mean it. He’s gotten so involved, with or without my permission. Some places I’m aware of, others I find out later, and others, I’m sure, I’m entirely unaware of. Sometimes too close for comfort, but often that would turn into the deepest comfort a person could ever experience; unimaginable until it actually happens to you.

In September, 2006, I was at possible the lowest low so far in my life. God came near in the most amazing way. I was in two places; in my bed, but also in a garden, with God holding me until I calmed down, and He was stroking my head with my head in His lap, I could literally feel all of this and it lasted for about 30 minutes. My life with Him was forever welded together, with no desire to look back.

God seems to be taking every opportunity He can to draw me closer to Him. He shows me that He is my perfect Dad. A year of Capernwray gave me the words to describe what I felt inside, and equipped me with the tools I would need in the tough situations to come. Through it all, God has proven this truth to me:

1 Thessalonians 5:24 “The One who calls you is Faithful, and He will do it.”

When I get distracted and try to live apart from Jesus, my ugliness surfaces. But He enables me to live a more self-less and humble life. My life with Christ hasn’t been easy, but it has been full of joy because I can see God in the everyday, which inspires me to step into the full person He created me to be!