What’s your story…..?

I love the fact that God has given us stories. What we do with our story is up to us. Do we share our stories or do we hold on to our treasure? I know it may sound weird to call our life stories “treasure,” but think about it. The experiences you have gone through, the struggles you have warred against, and the blessings you have received are your treasure. Don’t bury them!! Share your treasure and don’t ever hold back or be ashamed of it. Below is my story, whats yours?

I was born March 29th, 1979 to a life of hard times and pathways of destruction. As a child, I was very angry, alone, lost, and jealous. You see, I knew about Jesus my whole life but everything from my parents fighting, to their constant screaming, physical, mental, and emotional abuse turned my heart against Him. I figured if God acts the way my family does….why do I need Him?

My father and I weren’t very close growing up. He was there in my life, but at the same time he wasn’t. This always drove me crazy. For so many years I yearned and pleaded for my father’s approval. As the anger, hatred, and bitterness increased, my heart decreased. It was as hard and black as you could ever imagine.

Even though I was a loner and outcast, I still had two friends: Anger and Hate. They would follow me wherever I went. I always had thoughts in my head that everyone was out to get me and the world owed me for what it had done. Puhleeeassseee! To think that world, God or anyone owed me anything is ridiculous!

As I said, my life was on a pathway of destruction. I remember as clear as day, I told God “I hate you and want nothing to do with you. I prayed to you for years and you never answered my prayers.” That’s when my life changed for the worse. My life headed toward drugs, sex, violence, gangs, and partying all the time. I lived the life you see in rap videos but didn’t have the money or expensive cars. As I’m typing this I realize how much of a fool I was but how God’s grace stepped in. I shouldn’t be here. God should have wiped me off the face of the earth. I have come face to face with death a few times but God always rescued me.

In 2003, I started to attend Gateway church. That’s where I heard a message entitled “Forgiveness of your father.” It broke me down inside. The Holy Spirit came in and knocked the snot out of me. I fell to my knees hard that day. I was crying, sobbing, cursing, and boogers were flying! It was a glorious day because I felt some freedom. Now during that time, I was still doing my own thing. I knew God had gotten a hold of my heart, but I still wasn’t fully submitted to Him.

In 2006, my world had taken another tumble. My first wife wanted a divorce. That changed my course again and brought back my friends (Hate and Anger) plus some others. I fell back into alcohol hardcore. In the mornings I’d have a drink before work, then when I got home, I’d have a few more. To top that off, I would drink and drive while on my way to the bar in the evenings. Everyday this happened. It was the same routine.

I felt I was another statistic and begged for God to take me home. Then in January of 2007, I heard God as clear as day. He said “Boy” (Yes, God gets crunk with me.) “I’m tired of watching you do to this to yourself. You either follow me or continue down your path and end up dead.” He told me He was tired of watching me hurt myself.

So, on July 13th, 2007 at 2:30pm I rededicated my whole life totally to God. Wiithout Jesus Christ I am nothing nor will ever be anything. He is my  all in all, my Lord, my Savior, my Life. God also promises he will give back what the enemy has taken Joel 2:25 (NASB).

He brought a woman into my life who is everything I have ever wanted. She is now my wife and she is the most amazing woman!!  My father and I are now best friends and have come closer together then we ever were before. I couldn’t have done this on my own–only God could.

Below is a video I wanted to share of some people I personally know, and some that I don’t. I believe you will be touched by this video. I beg you to share your story and never be ashamed of the “treasure” God has given you.

~blessings