A Teenager's Journey of “Seeking and Finding”, R.T.

At the age of eighteen I felt I had lived in both sin and religion long enough. Each day I desired to be closer to God. I began each day and ended each day on my knees praying the Lord's prayer and with prayers of sincerity seeking answers to many unanswered questions. I disciplined myself to go to church and work at a hardware store during the summer. One day an acquaintance from high school came into the store. I greeted her and was astonished by the glow on her face. With her companion by her side, I continued to press her about her life. We talked briefly and I ended the conversation by giving her my phone number and she said she'd call me. I never got that call, but instead I called her. At that time she invited me over for dinner. I ate with her and some other Christian sisters, and a married couple. It was during this meal, that answers began to be unveiled to me. The simplicity and behavior of this dedicated couple were so sincere. I wanted this atmosphere and was invited to my first meeting in the local church. I thought as I drove up in my car, “should I go in, or should I just go home?” I chose to go in and was greeted by some. The message was given by a dear brother in the Lord. He spoke to my heart and yet he didn't know me or what I needed. He spoke about “the three things that God hates: 1) idolatry, 2) division, and 3) fornication,” and although I didn't understand each word, I felt the presence of God (1 Corinthians 10:7-8,17; 1:10-13). Later I was baptized (in October of 1973) and cried out that I was in God's family. Yes, I was born again into God's family. Even to this day I will see “73” on a license plate or somewhere, and be reminded of my re-birth.

I had a setback and after meeting with the local church for two years, I left the fellowship of the church. God's enemy, Satan, tried to destroy what God meant for me and for more than 10 years I wandered in the wilderness, without a daily reminder of His present mercy and grace (1 Corinthians 10:5-6). But in 1986, I returned to the meetings and my God. He was there for me at a time when I desperately needed Him. How faithful.

In 1988, I met my husband, a beloved brother, and we married in 1989. Behind the scenes God was working to help me, and I only realized this in my meeting with the local church.