SAVEDandNEW

For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be an artist. It is a passion that goes as deep as my soul. As a child, I could always find solace in constructing colorful art projects with modest art supplies from around the house.

As a young girl, I did not cope well with life, and as a result, I got caught up in rebellion and found myself in the prison of addiction. I did not know it, but God was there, and He was working in my life. I slowly began to recognize that I needed to change, and I started taking baby steps towards Him, well, it really was more like crawling, crawling from the wreckage, as the song goes.

Then there was “that” day. It started like any other, but it turned out to be the day that God realigned everything. It was the day that I finally recognized that doing it my way was not working. In agony, I cried out for His help, and He was there. It is hard to explain, but everything changed. God answered my cry through the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. I submitted my will, and I was blessed to have received the gift of sobriety right there and then.
I still had a long way to go and a lot to learn and I will be on this journey for my entire life. I will never fully reach the goal and I will never fully be cured.

Now, fast forward to the pandemic of 2020. I’m okay to say it…that pandemic stressed me out! Over the years, I have learned that as an addict, it is critical to take quick action when upset arrives. My action? I ran headlong into the bible. I ran as if my life depended on it. I immersed myself in deep bible study. I suddenly became aware at how incomplete my understanding was, so I studied more. The bible is book that calls to action. And that is exactly what happened. It was not long before I began to ask, How can I be of service? What is my purpose? Is it here or is it there? Was it big or was it little? Was I being called to some far-off land to spread the word? Should I learn a foreign language? Well, God is good, and it turned out to be remarkably simple. Amazingly simple. So simple, I almost missed it! I should share my story and my testimony!

Matthew 28:7 says “Do not be afraid…. go quickly and tell.”

Not knowing how this would work, I prayed for direction. Then one morning, it came to me! Ah ha! Use my creative spirit to share the story of salvation through art! Spending time with God’s word and blending it with my own sense of thankfulness and creativity in honor of all He has done for me would be a dream come true! God understands my needs and graciously designed an opportunity to use my talents for His glory.

My message is simple. Please take a moment to consider God. Consider reading His word and consider His son, Jesus Christ. The door is open.

Thank you for reading my story and to God be the Glory!