Who led you to your faith?

God’s been calling me since the age of 4. His call was put on hold for quite a while. Perhaps because I was raised amongst an entire family of non-believers? Perhaps because I wasn’t permitted to choose a church to attend until I was 13? Regardless, He placed in me a strong desire to know Him, He put people in my life to foster that desire, and He gave me gifts that would take me to places where I would meet Him. For instance, somehow I always managed to be friends with the pastor’s daughter, or the missionary family, even through a relocation.

I eagerly awaited turning 13 because two big things became possible at that age, according to my parents. 1. I’d be allowed to date and 2. I’d be allowed to go to church. So from age 13 I started attending a tiny Nazarene Church in Owego, NY thanks to the generosity of two friends’ families who would give me a ride both ways. While a member of the youth group and youth choir, I was given the chance to use my vocal abilities, and even asked to sing a solo. God revealed His truth to my soul through song, and at age 16, Jesus became my personal Savior. More than 30 years later, I can still say Jesus is my Savior. But, like Peter, it wasn’t always so.

There was a period of about 10 years when I did not answer God’s calls. We did not speak – or rather, I did not listen. A series of events during the summer before entering college stirred a rebellion in me. I engaged in reckless activities, hurting myself and others emotionally and several times missing death by a moment or two. I became dishonest, took advantage of people and opportunities, and I wandered further and further away from being the kind of person who I thought was worthy of God’s love.

But the Lord is so good!! He started putting people in my life to steer me back to Him, at a time when I was desperately needing guidance. Attending church became a habit instead of a happenstance. I prayed regularly. And I was healed of the heartbreaks that kept me from living with purpose and living in grace. I reaffirmed my faith and renewed my pledge to God from my teen years – that I would live seeking His ways.

It had taken me 10 years to answer God’s call. And now, many years later, He’s at the top of my Favorites.