My Story

At Christmastime more than any other time of year people reflect on the gift of Jesus. Recently I was able to jot down a brief synopsis of what Jesus has done in my life. I have been able to share my story with several people in person and wanted to share it with you also, my blogging world friend.

So, here it goes.

I was born and raised outside of Richmond, Virginia. My dad worked and my mom stayed at home. I was the oldest of four children and my mom often babysat so we always had a house full of fun--I mean kids. As a little girl I loved to play outdoors. I remember doing cartwheels out in the yard, swinging as high as I could go, playing kickball with the neighborhood kids, and catching critters in the creek. The many scars on my knees and elbows attest to my tomboyish play! I loved animals and always seemed to be caring for some furry friend. As a child I aspired to become a veterinarian one day. Baby dolls were my other hobby. Perhaps this is why we now have five children! I have many fond memories from my childhood. I had parents that loved me and life was very good.

My parents took me to church on a regular basis and taught me from the Bible. I had heard that Jesus died on the cross to take the punishment for sin and that he came back to life on the third day. One evening when I was six years old I was sitting on my bed looking at a Bible story book when I realized that I needed forgiveness for the wrong things I had done. Even though I was only six years old I knew that I had sinned. I had never robbed a bank, done drugs, or committed murder, but I had chosen to do the wrong thing many, many times. I needed forgiveness. Jesus had died on the cross for me. I called my mom into the room and we prayed together. And that changed my life forever. I made the most important decision I would ever make: to accept Christ's offer of forgiveness and to commit my life to Him.

Since that day the Lord has been present in my life, but my transformation into a person who emulates Christ has been more like a work in progress. I still mess up and have done things of which I am ashamed, however, I desire to please God with my life. As I grow in my love for and obedience to Christ my heart becomes more sensitive to His leading and I yearn more and more to please Him. I have assurance of salvation through Jesus' payment for my wrongs on the cross. His blood was the currency required to pay the punishment for my sin. I could never be good enough to earn my way to heaven because no matter how many good things I do I will never be perfect.

Jesus is real in my life. There have been countless ways each and every day that he shows Himself to me. In times of financial need, He has provided. When my mom was critically ill in the ICU, I had a peace that can come only from God. Through personal struggles He is always there, reminding me of His presence in the most amazing ways. As a mother now, I can't imagine allowing my children to die for anyone. It is incomprehensible to me that God loved me so much that He allowed His son to die on the cross so that I might be free from the consequences of my own sin.

So, this Christmas I remember Jesus not only as a baby in a manger. He came with a mission to provide the compensation for sin. He did that by living a sinless life, dying on the cross, and coming to life again on the third day.

What an amazing gift.