So I was having a conversation with someone the other day, and I was inspired to share some of my story. There's a bit more to it, but this is the jist of it.

My mom used to have to drag me to church when I was going through this rebellious stage, I had gone thru some stuff that I wouldn't wish on anyone and I was mad at everyone and everything. So I used to fall asleep on the benches, and go home and listen to wordly music, and do whatever I wanted, things I shouldn't have done and things that I am ashamed of. My mom tried, and I got more rebellious because I didn't want anyone to force me to do something I didn't want to do, I wanted to have my own experience. And the devil kept lying to me, trying to use the pain of my past to hold me down :/ But looking back, it wasn't worth it. It wasn't worth the dissapointments and the heartbreaks, and oh the setbacks! I guess one day I realized going out full force into the world just wasn't worth it. And I've tripped up and fell out on my face more times than I can count, but when I found my refuge in God, I knew that even with the battles and situations and trials that lifted up, I couldn't keep running from God, because He's the only one who has been there for me, who has healed me, and has made me whole again. And even now, when I make my mistakes, He forgives me. I've discovered God's love, I found it when I wasn't looking... Once, I was crying in my room, I had the house to myself, so I was bawling my eyes out, over a boy. And I said "God!! Why is it that I give him all of my love, I forgive him when he doesn't talk to me the way he should, and I help him even when he doesn't want me around, and when he tries to avoid me, I try to get his attention and show him that I'm here for him...how could someone reject the love that someone gives them?????? HOW???" Then, I heard in a whisper, a peaceful voice that said: "Now you know how I feel.." I realized I had been ignoring God, and He had taught me something. From that day on, my life hasn't been the same