25 Years Old Today

 

Today I am celebrating my 25th Birthday!

I wasn't sure I could write about it this morning. I did not sleep well, and when I went for my morning walk I noticed I had a flat tire. BUT it IS important that I do write about it because it is the most amazing thing that has ever happened in my life.

I was 33 years old, facing the reality that my second marriage was failing and my life was in a mess. There was no joy, peace or hope. Despair and depression were at my front door. I was working full time in a doctor's office and raising two sons. Most people would have said I was a good person. But there was something wrong with my life. The emptiness of knowing I was not loved created such low feelings of self worth.

It was a Friday morning and I had taken the day off from work. I knew I needed help. All alone in my home I began to think upon some things my friend Shirley had talked to me about over the last year and a half. I first met her when I was called by a doctor to see if I wanted to be their office nurse. Since we worked together on a daily basis we had lots of time to talk. She was a church going person and talked about God and Jesus a lot. I would listen but that was not for me. I had come to the conclusion that there could not have been a God as there was so much pain and suffering in the world as well as in my life. Why would God allow these things to happen?

Patiently she would share how God had created all things but sin had entered the world through the choices of Adam and Eve. Since then we were all sinners and in need of forgiveness. The only one who could provide forgiveness was Jesus. But that came with a price. He chose to die upon the cross to take the punishment for mine as well as every one's sins (wrongdoings). That was something I could not do for myself. On the third day He arose and is now in Heaven...to someday return for those people who have accepted Him as their Saviour.

I remember driving to an appointment I had and just crying out to God and accepting what He had done, and knowing I needed Him. I felt a weight lifted, peace and a hunger to know more about God. I knew my life was going to be different and not sure how people would accept me for the decision I had made. But it didn't matter as I knew I had done the right thing.

I would like to say my life got so much better but the bottom seemed to fall out. I was left alone with my two sons, facing some tough situations to deal with. I will have to say that I felt truly loved for the first time in my life. During the dark nights, the love of Jesus carried me through some valleys to huge mountaintop experiences.

Jesus was what I was seeking and needing so much in my life. I was finally complete.

I was born again.

That's why I can say that today is my 25th Birthday!
He has changed my life so much and is still working on me! I am so thankful for His love, grace and mercy!

 

 "Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." John 3:3

This is one of the songs God used in my early days as a Christian.
It is still so true today!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6wcPQ01-Ho