I am new to writing articles for Odyssey, so I wanted to share my story with readers so they can understand my point-of-view for future articles to come.
I came from a home that taught me what life is all about! Life is not about living on the Earth to make myself or others happy. No, it is all about how I show Jesus Christ to others through my life. Before I accepted Christ into my life, all I wanted was to be happy. I thought life was horrible because I had, and still have, ADHD, anxiety and an undiagnosed mood disorder. Throughout my childhood I realized that no matter what I did, I never felt that joyful feeling. Now, don't get me wrong I did have joyful moments, but the excitement would fade when the moment was gone.
My great grandparents would take me to church every Sunday, and after church we would have a family meal with my mom, dad, and grandma. That was my view of a perfect childhood. The apple trees beyond the brick tinted white house was ready for a little girl to step right up and take her pick. I often stayed at my great grandparents' house while my mom was at work. When I was old enough to attend school, they would take care of me after school or on the days we had off.
My great grandma would go outside into the fall breeze to hang laundry. I would follow every footstep until I saw my swing on the great, huge tree that stood almost directly in front of the clothesline. Then my great grandma would strap me in and push the swing to the heights of the sky. At least that is what it felt like to me. That was my life at the time, but on February 3rd, 2008, the day after my birthday, my mom sat me down to tell me that my great grandma had passed away. Then, just a few months later in October, my great grandfather also passed away.
I felt like my life was no more. However, five years later when I was 15, I realized I needed to have a relationship with Jesus Christ, and I was baptized at Resurrection Baptist Church in Benton, Illinois. My mom and dad both rededicated their lives to Christ there, also. Now I am 18 years old and married to a wonderful guy! We met at Resurrection Baptist Church in 2014, and we got married on March 16, 2016. We now attend Whittington Baptist Church. I gained my life back after I accepted Christ into my life, but it took me some time to realize that I never had a life until I was saved by Jesus Christ.
My life is now is His. I love to share His word and greatness. Last Sunday I realized, by the grace of God, that I was meant to go to college to become a writer. When I was 16, I felt called to write a book about Jesus Christ, but I never really wanted to major in writing in college. I wanted to make money so I could have a fancy house, cars, and horses. However, I've realized that life is not all about material possessions. Life is about going where God wants you to go even if it means not having much of an income. I will be doing it for the glory of God and that is all that matters. All I need is Christ and He will provide for me. I am only human, so I do still want to make a lot of money, but I will accept and treasure what the Lord provides for me. The treasure that my heart most desires is the treasure I will receive in heaven.
"But, lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:20 ESV
