My Story
I always believed in Our God. The Higher Power. Since I was younger, I lived for something greater than myself, but it wasn't until my Christian faith became solidified when my relationship with Christ began to prosper.
Growing up in a Catholic family I was always exposed to the rules in the Catholic faith. The biggest of them all and what is written in Scripture (paraphrased by yours truly): do not commit sin. In the Catholic faith, that felt more like: do not live. All I knew was the strict framework of the church, which never allowed me to establish a close relationship with Jesus; I always felt as though a microscope was on me at all times.
It wasn't until I began exploring my faith in college, where I came to terms that sinning is human-nature. We were born with sin inside of us. We sin. And then we are forgiven by the grace of our God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. {1 John 1:9}
Growing up in a Catholic family I was always exposed to the rules in the Catholic faith. The biggest of them all and what is written in Scripture (paraphrased by yours truly): do not commit sin. In the Catholic faith, that felt more like: do not live. All I knew was the strict framework of the church, which never allowed me to establish a close relationship with Jesus; I always felt as though a microscope was on me at all times.
It wasn't until I began exploring my faith in college, where I came to terms that sinning is human-nature. We were born with sin inside of us. We sin. And then we are forgiven by the grace of our God. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. {1 John 1:9}
Testimony
October 19, 2014
I had been traveling for work for three-months straight and was at a point of exhaustion, questioning my purpose in my work. Was I inspiring others? Could I be doing more? Am I touching the lives of those I met? At this point I was at a standstill. Homesick, unmotivated, and concentrating on my grandfather's one-year anniversary of his passing in 2013. It wasn't until that night where I reached out for guidance from a friend to whom I knew had a strong relationship with Christ.
That night I waved my white flag. I prayed. I prayed authentically (there's a difference.). I surrendered myself to the Lord and said, "Here I am. Please, Lord, bring me a sign that you see me. That you hear me. That you know I am struggling. Send me a sign that my grandfather is still with me. Give me the confidence to continue through this slump in my life. I am Yours."
October 20, 2014
Upon awaiting for a meeting at the University of South Carolina-Upstate, a perfect stranger made his way towards me to initiate a conversation. I observed that he had a scar in the middle of his neck, and through our initial conversation, I became curious. After inviting him into more conversation, I shortly came to know that this perfect stranger was involved in a terrible drunk driving accident two years ago that left him in a coma for months. After multiple surgeries, feeding tubes, a ventilator, and many prayers from family members later, he became a miracle and thanked our God for another chance to live. Through his tragedy, God became present in his life. He decided to work with God and began studying to become a pastor. After hearing his story he asked, "I want to hear about your relationship with God. First, can I preach to you and tell you how amazing our God is?"
Silence. Tears. Astonishment. I am crying to this stranger, showing my vulnerability to this stranger only for him to give me a handkerchief he just so happened to have on him.
God answers His prayers. There I was in a tiny apartment the night before surrendering myself to Him asking for a sign. No more than 12 hours later, this man is so passionately conversing about our God and all of His promises.
My Angel sent from heaven. It was that moment where I truly knew and experienced that Our God works in mysterious ways and it was not until that fall afternoon where I personally witnessed his miraculous work on ME. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. -{Deuteronomy 10:21}
I had been traveling for work for three-months straight and was at a point of exhaustion, questioning my purpose in my work. Was I inspiring others? Could I be doing more? Am I touching the lives of those I met? At this point I was at a standstill. Homesick, unmotivated, and concentrating on my grandfather's one-year anniversary of his passing in 2013. It wasn't until that night where I reached out for guidance from a friend to whom I knew had a strong relationship with Christ.
That night I waved my white flag. I prayed. I prayed authentically (there's a difference.). I surrendered myself to the Lord and said, "Here I am. Please, Lord, bring me a sign that you see me. That you hear me. That you know I am struggling. Send me a sign that my grandfather is still with me. Give me the confidence to continue through this slump in my life. I am Yours."
October 20, 2014
Upon awaiting for a meeting at the University of South Carolina-Upstate, a perfect stranger made his way towards me to initiate a conversation. I observed that he had a scar in the middle of his neck, and through our initial conversation, I became curious. After inviting him into more conversation, I shortly came to know that this perfect stranger was involved in a terrible drunk driving accident two years ago that left him in a coma for months. After multiple surgeries, feeding tubes, a ventilator, and many prayers from family members later, he became a miracle and thanked our God for another chance to live. Through his tragedy, God became present in his life. He decided to work with God and began studying to become a pastor. After hearing his story he asked, "I want to hear about your relationship with God. First, can I preach to you and tell you how amazing our God is?"
Silence. Tears. Astonishment. I am crying to this stranger, showing my vulnerability to this stranger only for him to give me a handkerchief he just so happened to have on him.
God answers His prayers. There I was in a tiny apartment the night before surrendering myself to Him asking for a sign. No more than 12 hours later, this man is so passionately conversing about our God and all of His promises.
My Angel sent from heaven. It was that moment where I truly knew and experienced that Our God works in mysterious ways and it was not until that fall afternoon where I personally witnessed his miraculous work on ME. He is the one you praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. -{Deuteronomy 10:21}