Laura Mullens
Laura
Mullens
Laura and her 11 year old son live in Hockliffe. She was raised in Zimbabwe, enjoys all sports, is a mentor in local schools and is passionate about helping people think more positively about their lifestyle, health and fitness.
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I became aware that I was dying and called out to God to save me.
I grew up in Zimbabwe. When I was three my mum met and married my stepdad. As a family we went to church, where I enjoyed learning about Jesus and going on Christian camps. I gave my heart to God when I was about eight. I was very energetic and loved sport. I thought lots about being a famous athlete one day.
When I was eleven my stepdad died and mum went through some health challenges, it was a very stressful time. I felt confused, angry, sad and lonely, wondering if God even cared about me? To cope I kept busy every moment I could with sport and exercise. I thought, “If I become a famous athlete, recognized and loved by the world, I’ll be happy”. The more I focused on that, the less I thought about God and what He planned for my life.
My goal became an addiction and led to not looking after my body. At 16, I came to the UK hoping to make my dream come true and entered my first half-marathon that would change my life. I’d been swimming in the sea the day before and stood on a fish that had a poisonous spike. In the middle of the race, because of the toxin in my body, my heart stopped. I was taken in an ambulance to A&E and resuscitated.
I became aware that I was dying and called out to God to save me. His peaceful presence and voice calmed me and reassured me that He loved me and had been waiting for me to call on Him. The peace He gave me was like a great love, that took away the emptiness I’d felt for so long while searching for my worth and identity in my goals.
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The peace He gave me was like a great love that took away the emptiness I’d felt for so long.”
I knew I had encountered God and heard Him speak to me and rescue me, because from that day He put a new desire in my heart to learn to look after my body and teach others too. A few weeks later, I was studying coaching and sports injury recovery.
Over the years, God has given me lots of opportunities to help and encourage people in many different situations. I am so thankful to Him for rescuing me and restoring my body and health from the damage I did in my younger years. God gave me a reminder of His grace and love when He blessed my life with my son Nathan (meaning ‘gift from God’).
I hope this has encouraged you to know God loves you too and that you’re His precious child. We can come to Him just as we are.