Finding just one person or event in my life, which shaped my beliefs, is nearly impossible, but the woman in this picture stands out among many. In one of their songs, Third Day includes the words, "There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, and love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing, He'll meet you wherever you are." Mrs. Smith lived these words. God used her to meet me where I was.

   Most people will agree high school is a rough stepping stone in a young person's life. Those years usually include an astonishing epiphany:  "I can't make everyone happy." When this fact became clear to me, I coupled that with other problems and decided I didn't have a purpose anymore. I battled with temptation at every turn. I didn't think I looked good enough or had enough money or anything. Then I decided to end my life by not eating. God had a different plan. He used this teacher to save someone she barely knew at the time. She told the class she didn't know what was going on, but God laid it on her heart to speak on suicide. I'll never forget her last sentence: "When you've reached rock bottom, and you don't think you can get any lower; just remember the only way is up."

   That's the beginning of the story. God's continued to use Mrs. Smith in my life since then. My senior year my mom went from being a best friend to a complete stranger. Circumstances got so bad that my brother and I moved out. Later that year a friend from church died in a car wreck. I kept telling God I was so "tired" (spiritually and emotionally). I hit "rock bottom" again. I couldn't focus on school work at all, and I knew this was the year I HAD to make good grades. Mrs. Smith just happens to be one of the strongest prayer warriors I've ever met. I have no doubt she was praying for my family. God put her in my life to be an example for me. After I started praying like she did, and put everything in God's hands, life got better.

   2 Corinthians 12:9 says "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Thanks to God's amazing power, I turned away from Satan and back toward Him. I made all A's that year and got a full scholarship to a community college. God showed up and showed out that year. He definitely met me where I was (broken, on the floor, with nothing to offer Him but a broken heart). He took my burdens upon himself, and now I know all those lyrics I mentioned earlier are true. He is always there, and He is always faithful. That's what I believe.