Jenni

I worked with Odo, who always seemed full of joy and love. I expressed my fears to her, and she talked to me about God, how He cares for everyone, and has a plan for me. God wasn’t a new thought. I’d been confirmed as a teenager. I pondered on this, but I still wallowed in self-pity.

One Sunday, I felt the urge to go to Hockliffe Street Baptist Church. I began attending church regularly and prayed about my job. I moved to another role.

Through church I attended a ‘Christianity Explored’ course. There I heard Mark’s Gospel and what being a Christian meant. From childhood, I had taken God’s love for granted, but didn’t have a relationship with Him. We were asked to think about how we’d lived our lives, and what God would see. I thought of all my sins. Shocked, I thought about forgiveness, realising that I wouldn’t forgive me. God would, though. I heard about God sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross to forgive me and have a relationship with me. I am still humbled by this fact.

We were invited to pray to ask Jesus to come into our lives and save us from sin. I asked God to forgive me, to surround me with His love, and to lift me from the pit my life was.

I gave my life to Jesus.

I realise now that God has been in my life all along. I can see that in some of the darkest times He helped me. I always loved reading the Bible and now I know why!

My change as a follower of Jesus was gradual in some areas and quick in others. I searched out Christians at work, listened to Christian music, and started praying for the good. My heart was no longer heavy with the shackles of hate, worry and anger.

Over the last 17 years I have learned more about Jesus and how much He loves me. He is my spiritual Father, and He will never leave me nor forsake me.

God is the centre of my life. My Bible is my go-to place where I learn how to walk with Jesus, but now I see that His way is the best way. His love surpasses all earthly possessions.