What's Next

Now that I've actually "gotten to the porch" in my relationship with God, what am I going to blog about now. I thought I would share my story on my blog. All of it, not just bits and pieces. I want to put the whole story together for me to see the way God has worked through it all and to possibly help some of you who are going through the same situation that I was.

So here's Chapter 1

Growing up in a Christian home with wonderful Christian parents, I have had the best upbringing possible. Everyday I am thankful to God for my family and the influence they have had and continue to have on my life.

When I was 9 years old I made the decision to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior. At that time, I understood the limited amount of knowledge a 9 year old can understand about who God is. Basically, I knew that Jesus died on the cross for me and I wanted to go to Heaven when I died. So, I did what I knew to be right at that time. It wasn't until 6 years later that I would have a better understanding of that decision.

Fast forward to my freshman year of high school. Throughout my school years I was known as the "good girl." I was the girl who never drank, smoke, cussed, or really thought bad about anyone. I seemed to have it all together. I thought so too, until I got tired of wearing that label. One day, as I was in the fall of my freshman year, I decided to change my label. I found friends that were very different than me. These friends smoked, cussed, and who knows what else. I thought they would be perfect for me to hang out with, just to get rid of that hated label. After all, who really wants to hang out with a "good girl?"

So for a season of time I hung out with those "friends." I talked like they did and dressed like them, flannel shirts and jeans, even in the summer. What was I thinking? Life continued on and I was drifting farther and farther away from God and my "good girl" label. I was tired of going to church and decided that as long as I did certain things, that seemed "normal" then no one would expect any different. I think my parents weren't fooled at all. I never went as far as participating in the activities that they did, though I came awfully close one time. It seemed that just being around them was enough for me.

I never will forget the day it all changed. I was walking into band class with those same friends when another friend approached me. She and I had grown quite decent from one another because of my choice in my current friendships. She was a "good girl" too and I didn't want to have anything to do with that. As she approached me that day, I could tell something was up. She told me words I will never forget. "Laura, you have to choose between them or me. What's your choice?" At that time I didn't know what to say. However, in the next month or so that followed I found myself on my knees before God asking Him for forgiveness and receiving the grace that He so freely gives us. I spent many hours in my youth minister's office talking to him and telling him of my struggle. It was after a long, hard, battle with myself that I made the decision to recommitment my life to Christ. So at the age of 15 I decided that I didn't care what label people out on me. I was a child of God, and that was a label I am proud to wear.

Chapter 2 to appear soon-School never ends