Before Christ saved me, I was dead in my sins. I did not look to Christ as my Lord, and fellowship with Him was nonexistent. From a very young age, the local church poured into me and shared the Gospel with me. My parents gave me a glimpse of the beauty of a life united to Christ. By the Lord's grace, I recognized that I was a sinner deserving of eternity separated from God. Because God made me, I was accountable to Him. I also recognized how desperately I needed the Lord. The Lord raised me to life with Him when I was five, and I couldn't be more joyful and grateful.

Because God sent His only son Jesus to take the punishment that I deserved, I could be called a child of God and fellowship with Him. When I placed my trust in Christ and turned from my sins, my desires and motives changed. God no longer saw me as a wretched sinner, but he now sees the righteousness of Jesus on me. Life was no longer about me but Christ in me.

Through the years, I can see God's goodness and mercy over me. I have struggled yet He has held me fast. There have been many life stages that have come and gone since the Lord has saved me. There have been seasons marked by laughter and seasons marked by tears. Many saints have walked through these seasons with me and showed me how beautiful God's sovereignty actually is even when I struggle to understand. God has convicted my heart of much legalism, pride and bitterness. Yet God has begun a good work in me that He will bring to completion. Every day, I am amazed that the Lord would even save a vile sinner such as me. God is transforming my heart every day. As my sin becomes more bitter through his conviction, His gospel is becoming even more sweet to my soul. Through Christ, I have been given lovely fellowship with the Father. The Lord is good!