My Personal Testimony

Before I received eternal life, I was just going through the motions of church. My parents were both Christians and active in church and I was brought up and learned some things about what it meant to be a Christian. One day when I was in the 10th grade we had a revival at my church and it was "youth night". a number of my friends walked the aisle when the invitation was given and I didn't want to be left behind, so I went as well. However, I only had a "head knowledge" of Jesus and not a heart knowledge. Through the next number 8 years I had a sense of insecurity and was unsure of whether or not I would spend eternity in Heaven if I died.

I can remember being in the 11th grade and being involved in a terrible car accident. I was knocked unconscious and when I came to in the emergency room, I remember screaming in terror as I didn't know what was going on and the pain of being stuck numerous times with needles. I was in the hospital for almost a week with broken bones and had to have a number of stitches. If I had died that night, I did not have the assurance that I would have eternal life in Heaven.

After I was married, we had some ups and downs and after 5 years we ended up being separated and divorced. I knew in my heart that was not how I was brought up and we went to counseling with a pastor. We began to go to church together and 2 months later we were remarried. Under that pastor's teaching, I realized I did not have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven and came to understand I could never earn or deserve eternal life, but that it was a "free gift" and regardless of anything I had done in my past, I could accept that free gift and trust in Jesus Christ alone for what He did for me when He died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and purchase a place in Heaven.

Now that I have received the gift of eternal life, I no longer fear death because I have the assurance if I died that I would have eternal life in Heaven.

One day in 1997 I was involved in another car accident where someone driving a stolen car ran a red light and hit the side of my car. I had some injuries, but was treated in the emergency room and released. During all this time, I had a peace of knowing that I was in God's hands and was not afraid of what would have happened if I had died.

Despite what my future holds, I know who holds my future and have a peace that God is in control and He will never leave me or forsake me. I AM HIS!