During that difficult time in my life, the words I longed to hear were, "I'm here to listen and help anytime you need to talk. When you are lonely or have troubled thoughts, I’m here for you. God loves you, no matter who you are or what you've done. It's never too late to seek forgiveness; he will guide you through. Those are the words I wished someone would have said to me.
Throughout the years, I've experienced the incredible ways God has worked in my life. He has shown me the power of forgiveness and reminded me that it's not my place to judge; only God is the judge.
After I married and had a home of my own, my husband and I opened it up to everyone! Our house has become a place where young people can hang out. Every time they come over, I strive to see things from their perspective. My heart goes out to others struggling like I did! I feel it's important to speak with love and understanding, so I ask them how they're feeling and what's happening in their lives.
There is no judgment here; instead, I try to create a safe place for them to share their thoughts and concerns. I never judge them or question how they ended up where they are. Instead, I just let them share what’s on their mind, and I do my best to respond with love. When they feel like the world has turned its back on them or they don’t belong, I make it a point to remind them, there are people who genuinely care. I pray for them and let them know they are never alone.
My 40-day journey began when we moved to the United States. I was only 12 when I found myself surrounded by strangers, after leaving behind those I trusted and loved. I developed a real hatred toward my mother and became very depressed.
It was a hard time for me, especially since no one seemed to care. I began to experience suicidal thoughts and built a wall around myself. Whenever someone tried to hurt me, my first thought was to get back at them. I did not trust in God, because I didn’t really know Him. But God blessed me with a wonderful Christian Grandmother who prayed for me every single day.
A scripture that holds a special place in my heart is John 3:16.
I have fond memories of my grandma's visits. She would always bring a Bible and left it open, with that verse highlighted, and then read it to me with love and dedication. I could see how much it meant to her, even when my mom would say, “Stop bringing Bibles; I don’t need any more.”
When I finally accepted Christ into my heart, everything changed for me. I experienced a profound sense of peace and freedom that I had longed for as a child. It’s a gift that continues to shape my life. I am also grateful for the moments I shared with my grandmother; she played a significant role in guiding me on my journey.
