My God Encounter

Natalie’s Encounter

I made some messed up choices in the past that left me in alot of pain and a whirl wind of confusion but this was my one chance to make it right. I am privileged and grateful for a God who never gives up. With Him there’s forgiveness, redemption, and healing.
I was Born and raised in Chicago, in a two parent home where the idea of God was just enough. My occasional attendance to Easter and Christmas mass eased my mind about the things I did. Early on in my childhood I was exposed to drugs, drinking and boys; however I was solely a spectator. That is until I got older…different crowd, same scene. Now with some direction I began going to college. Drinking, going to the clubs and smoking weed was my outlet from the day to day stresses of life. Not to mention dating…alot. I was “enjoying life”. At least that’s what I tried to convince myself, however inside, my world was crumbling. After my 18th birthday my father whom I loved and trusted decided one day that he no longer wanted to be with my mother and left the house. That same year my little sister was crossing the street and was hit by a car. She was 13yrs old and endured severe traumatic brain injury. To add the icing on the cake I got pregnant and aborted my baby.I was depressed, angry, bitter, crushed, forgotten…the list goes on, but who cared about my feelings. My feelings were irrelevant, my responsibility was to care for my mother and my sister.
A year later a new boyfriend became my escape. The one thing I needed the most he fulfilled…he listened. So I packed up all my bags (literally and figuratively) and moved in. We were headed for destruction from the beginning. Of course this can only be said hindsight. High expectations were set on the man, I thought he was the one who can rescue me from it all. For a little while he somewhat did. Then reality set in and I found myself back where I started feeling alone and rejected. So I did what I knew…I went to the clubs, drank, smoked and moved on to the next guy who was willing to listen. I was a mess and well aware of it. I spent countless nights in tears feeling completely hopeless and ashamed. Then one day I read a blog written by a guy whom I had recently met. Who was a Christian. I responded to what he had written and shared with him my circumstance. He took the opportunity to invite me to church. I took up his offer and went occasionally, but nothing changed.
However one Sunday morning a few months later, the Pastor asked how I was doing. The superficial response “good and you?” wasn’t going to work this time. My heart was heavy and the Pastor knew it. Reluctantly I shared my story and he asked me if I wanted to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Not really understanding the effect of my response, I answered yes. There was no great immediate encounter nor did my problems go away over night but I was forgiven and I felt it. Slowly I began to surrender my heart, my time, and my dreams to Jesus Christ. Why? Because that’s the least I can do for the man who loved me so much He died for me. He shed his blood for me and forgave me. He’s healed my heart and restored my relationships with both my mother and sister. I no longer look for peace and fulfillment in a substance or even a man. I’ve found joy in my relationship with God, despite what life throws at me. With all confidence I can say I am no longer the person I was before. Jesus Christ changed my life! It’s been three years since I made the decision. Who would have thought a yes to one question would change my whole world around.

.

click here to read more about encountering Jesus yourself, get info or to contact us