I won’t
go too much into detail of how I came about to my decision to get baptized,
because this would be a really long blog, and too much to write. So I’ll give you the downtown (fast)
version. I had a few incidents happen in
my life at the end of 2012. Nothing I am
proud of and something that I had to deal with.
It affected me, my husband and my family. So in January I had I guess “seen the light”
for lack of better terms. I just saw
life in a different perspective, I thought about things differently than I ever
had before, and I saw that I needed to turn my life around and work on my
relationship with God. I had one, it
just wasn’t as rock solid as it should be.
So in turn, I started to read the bible, actually read it and understand
it. I had my bible reading plan that I
got of www.biblestudytools.com After reading the bible more and working on
my relationship with God, I decided getting baptized would further help me on
my journey. I would be sharing my
testimony with the world and making a statement by living my life for the Lord.
Below
is my faith statement that I read. I
hope this speaks to some people and I hope this helps people out. I put my soul into this, and I meant every
word of it. Feel free to share this with
those you think needs a push in the right direction, I encourage you to!
Valerie’s
Faith Statement
Before
I surrendered my life to God, I was insecure in my faith, I didn’t know how to
talk to God, I was dishonest more than I was honest with myself, my family, my friends and my dear
husband. Most of all I felt separated
from God because I thought I had made too many bad decisions and hurt too many
people in my life. I was portraying this
persona of a person I wanted people to see on the outside, but inside there was
turmoil and confusion on what I was doing with my life, knowing what the
outcome would be if I kept making the same bad decisions and choices in my
life.
My
husband Kenneth and I made a decision that we wanted to join the church and
become members. At that time, we meet
with Scott for the new member classes, and he asked us “if you were to die
tomorrow, do you believe without a doubt that you’re going to heaven?” My husband said yes, very confidently and
with every ounce of his being, I however didn’t have an answer. I felt ashamed and embarrassed. My husband looked at me, took my hand and
squeezed it and he gave me a big hug.
Trying to hold back tears, I knew I wanted to have a relationship with
Christ and be able to answer that very same question like my husband did, with
confidence and courage.
My
husband is a man of God and has been my biggest supporter and confidant. Kenneth never shies away from a question I
have to ask him about the bible, his faith or his relationship with God. Kenneth has been right in front of my face
for the past 9 years of my life, with the same beliefs from the day I met
him. I however have had a roller coaster
of a ride with my relationship with God.
It just took me 9 years to realize that having Kenneth in my life and
having him supporting me while I build my relationship with God has been
biggest blessing, and I will never forget it.
I now
am proud and confident to say that I have a rock solid relationship with God
and I don’t feel separated from him anymore.
On this journey I have learned that I can do all things through Christ
who strengthens me. The Lord has gotten
me through some very tough times in my life recently, and I know He will get me
through anything and everything I am faced with. Kenneth and I are expecting our first child
in October and I am happy to be able to say that our child will be raised by
two parents who live through Christ and who know Christ.
Brightest Blessings,
Valerie
