How did I come to a place of sharing my life story in a book? It began when I wanted to help someone that was going through some serious health issues. Their prognosis was not good, but feeling sorry for themselves wasn’t an option. They rose to the challenge to fight back with integrity and a spirit of hope. They had a very solid network of people praying for them and taking care of their physical needs. I felt God wanted me to be a part of that network, but I didn’t want to only attend to some of their physical needs. I wanted to be part of helping with their spiritual needs. That’s when God put it upon my heart to share with them my story of hope. So, I started to write out how God worked, and still works, in my life. I shared how God got a hold of my heart, and how this brought me peace and understanding in times of trouble. I am thankful that after they read my testimony, they wrote a nice letter saying it helped. I was very pleased that months later, the health issues were resolved, and all who were involved praised God for His goodness. 

Hard times or trials seem to work in two ways: either they draw you closer to God, or they pull you away from God. I am so glad that this family was drawn closer to God through their ordeal. In my life, I have been both pulled away and drawn closer when going through tough times. Choosing to draw closer to God in times of trouble is always the better choice.

After giving a rough copy of my testimony to the couple whose husband was going through health issues, I started to refine it. After I was done, I had my friend Tom edit it. After re-reading my story, I felt God was leading me to share more about how my walk with Him progressed over the years after I accepted Christ. As the Bible doesn’t edit out the failures of its saints, I didn’t edit out my failures either. For I want all people, especially the broken ones, to be able to identify with some part of my story and see that God’s love is for everyone who will receive it. I also hope that I have shown from the Bible who God and Jesus Christ are, and in the process answered some of the questions or concerns people have brought up to me over the years. 

I am not trying to prove myself or what I believe to anyone. My goal in writing this book is to help those who are searching to find God—not a god, but the God…the God of the Bible. He is the only one that can give us true meaning in life. I couldn’t find any worthwhile meaning in my life by pursuing happiness or peace in what the world had to offer. But I did find that peace and happiness in a relationship with Jesus Christ. I hope all who read this will place their faith in Christ and live out Colossians 3:1–4: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

It is my prayer that as you read this book, light will be been shed on the subject of why God wants a personal relationship with you through the Lord Jesus Christ.“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 ).