Before Jesus Changed My Life

I grew up in a Christian household. Both of my parents were active in the church, and I spent my childhood in Sunday School and youth group nearly every week. Faith was always around me, but for a long time it felt more like a routine than a real personal relationship with Jesus. In high school, I started to lose interest. Church felt more like an obligation than something I wanted or needed. When I left for college, I drifted even more. My friends didn't go to church, and I didn't want to go alone, so I stopped going. During that season, I still believed in Christ, but I did not have a relationship with him. I kept myself busy with school, marching band, and friends, but there was always guilt in the back of my mind for not pursuing Him more.

How Jesus Changed My Life

As I got older, God gently drew me back to Him. While living in Minnesota after Sean and I got married, we joined a life group with other couples who were in a similar stage of life - many of us even expecting our first babies around the same time. Meeting regularly for Bible study with that group helped me reconnect with my faith and remember what it meant to walk closely with Jesus.

Hebrews 10:24-25 describes that experience so well: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Through that community, the gospel became personal to me. 

I came to truly understand the good news that I had heard all my life - that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for me. That even though I am a sinner, God loves me so much that He sent His Son to pay the price for my sin (John 3:16). Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord,” and realizing that this gift was meant for me changed everything.

My Life After Jesus Saved Me

Since surrendering my life to Christ, He has been reshaping my heart and my priorities. God has used my marriage, motherhood, and Christian community to draw me closer to Him and to remind me that He never stopped pursuing me, even in the years when I drifted.

Moving back to Cedar Rapids and reconnecting with Veritas has been another reminder of His faithfulness. I’m growing in my relationship with Him day by day, learning to trust Him in every season, and building my life on the hope of the Gospel. Because I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior, I know I have eternal life in Him (John 20:31), and I’m grateful for the grace that continues to grow my faith and my family.