How do I know God is real? I’ve known two versions of me. One without a relationship with God. And one with a relationship with God. The difference of night and day seems an adequate comparison.
For the first 25 years of my life, I lived without a relationship with God. Raised in a non-Christian household, I never knew the love and peace that comes with faith. My childhood was marred by difficulties that followed me into adulthood, leaving me with a deep void and a soul that felt like it was constantly in turmoil. I tried to outrun my past, but it only seemed to catch up with me faster. Every step forward felt like a struggle, and every attempt at stability ended in chaos.
I longed for something different, something more. I just didn’t know what it was. It was like searching for a lifeline in the dark, desperate for a grasp of hope. Then, everything changed. My now-husband introduced me to Jesus on a date, and I felt like I’d stumbled into a whole new world. My response was candid – “Oh, wow, who’s Jesus, though?” He then shared his faith with me.
As I began to learn about God, I felt like my whole world was shifting into focus. The void that had been a constant companion began to shrink, and my soul whispered, “There you are, I’ve been looking for you.” It was as if I’d been searching for something that was right beside me all along. I felt the longing because God was there, waiting for me to see Him.
Conviction washed over me, and I knew I had to get my life right. I’d been living according to the world’s standards, not knowing any better. But now, I was eager to align my life with the Bible’s teachings. It felt like the least I could do, considering all God had done for me. Before knowing God, I felt unwhole, like I was standing in a dark place, unable to absorb the full light of the sun. Others around me seemed to have peace and hope, but it wasn’t something I could grasp.
When I found God, it was like the hole in my heart was filled, and I was restored. I felt seen, loved, and hopeful for the first time. The full warmth of the sun on my skin began melting the broken pieces of my soul and making me whole. I wanted to know everything about God and change who I was to glorify Him. I started seeing His goodness and blessings all around me.
Since then, my life has done a complete 180. God has worked miracles in me, and I’ve put in spiritual work to become the person I’m meant to be. My husband and I are raising our three beautiful children on the firm foundation of God, intentionally creating a Christ-centered family culture where Jesus is woven into everything. Our children have a stable, consistent home and know the glorious, overwhelming, never-ending love of God. There’s hope in our family, sunshine in our home.
God continues to work miracles and prove to us that He’s undoubtedly here. We share these events and God’s love with those around us because we know the transformative power of faith. I know for a fact that God is real because I’ve lived without and with Him. It’s the most beautiful thing when we ask God into our hearts and lives and get to see firsthand that He’s very mighty and real. Take it from this once-wandering black sheep – God’s love can change everything.
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