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A Wretch No More
From a young age I would lie out of fear of repercussions. Eventually, I lied simply because that's what I did. I was selfish, self-centered, and self-serving. I would steal to get what I wanted and lie to get away with it. Worst of all, I was very good at both, which caused me to be filled with false Pride. Then, ironically enough, I was arrested for shoplifting even though I was actually innocent. I went to jail for the first time in my life at 32 years old and I was terrified. While in jail, I met a woman who told me the Lord had told her to pray over me. When she did (despite my clear skepticism) I felt a warmth come over me unlike anything I've ever felt before or since, and began to sob uncontrollably. I can't explain logically the way my view of the world changed, but through no action of my own, it simply did. I lacked empathy of any kind before and since I've become saved, I now have it in abundance. People no longer were tools at my disposal to use to my advantage, but instead I felt an overwhelming urge and desire to help them. It hasn't been easy, but I can truly say that the Lord has not once given me an obstacle that he and I together can't handle and the fact that I can go to sleep at night knowing I have done my best to do His Will makes every struggle pale in comparison.
Before I accepted Christ into my life, I was a pathological liar and thief.
By the time I was 30 years old, I could count on one hand people I knew who would still associate with me, because I was so untrustworthy that most everyone else I'd ever met, I'd betrayed in some way.
Then I accepted the Lord into my heart, and immediately began to see the world through very different eyes.
Now when I look at other people, my first thought isn't what I can get from them, but rather in what way can I have a positive impact on their life.
I loaned a friend of mine a rather large sum of money, even though it ran the risk of causing me personal strife, and when she not only didn't pay me back but also lied to everyone and claimed she did, rather than being angry I simply told her I forgave her and I make a point to pray for her every night.
Since the moment the Lord touched my heart and changed me, I have become known as a woman who is trustworthy and honest, and I am continually being told by people who knew me before I was saved, that I really am a completely different person and I'm finally someone they are proud to know and love.
Your testimony matters too