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.
Christin we are so proud of you-I told Bro David about your trip and to pray for you-
Remember all those days at Dorroh Lake Camp-you are so sweet and we are praying for you.
Honey and Papa
I never thought about reading this blog until now.Im really glad that God put her in your life,because of that you are now in mine….Ireally miss you a ton…we have been praying for you and your group and we hope that you are having a blast.I am a lil bit in Panama.This youth group is really strong and they miss you too like uh Drew lol…I cant express how proud I am and happy for you that i am….I just thank God for putting such a God striving woman in my life that I will be with for the rest of my life…again I love you and miss you stay safe and remember im praying for you.
Love,
Colby p.s.:dry up your tears lol…and dont get mad bout me contacting you in a way..I hope to try to travel with you next summer
Im guessin this is about the only way to contact you til you get back. I actually have grown a lot more than I thought I would and its not that you are gone…its that when I wake up Im already thinking about you and what you are doing,how its going , and if you are ok.. the only thing I that I have found that helps is conatant prayer. I dont think that I have prayed so much in my life because everytime I think about you and your safety, and not just that but that God will strengthen our relationship so that we can be a poitive influence… But the devil is working his magic also… sometimes I find myself thinking that when you get back that you will feel differently than what was said in the message that you left before you left for the trip..I know you wont..I love you and im praying for you everyday…..next time fast from something else lol
love you geegee! we are praying for you daily and we are so proud of you! patients are asking about you daily and no christopher is not doing your job better than you but he is trying to follow your directions on the calender! as far as the chucky cheese thing goes,,,,it didn’t happen!haha! love you so much! Jade
yh azbs bsnwsb wbd (that’s from Halle)
gytgfdfthjlkjuhgfhhjkklkj (that’s from Kyla Kate)
I think it says – we miss you!
Well im extremely happy for you and im glad its working…and I know it has already helped our relationship… what exactly did you mean by you will feel differently? just curious
jade forwarded your email to me..i am so so glad to hear you are doing well and having a good time! don’t stay too long though..i need you here! avery (and mommy) are growing like crazy! 🙂
you will definitely be in my prayers! miss and love you!!!
Hi, Boy do we miss you!!!We are so proud of you. Until you get to be a grandparent you will not understand. We pray for your safty and for you to have funbut also complete the job that our great friend has for you to do in jb. Granddad and I celebrated our 45 anniversary on Saturday. We had pecan pies and other things.I/m not lossing very much weight because of things such as that but I am walking about 2 1/2 miles now. You be good and safe. Granddad and I hope to see you real soon. Love you, Granddad & Nana
Christin i love you so much! and i miss you like crazy~ i know you are having a great time and learning and growing in God alot~ you are in my prayers- and i can’t wait untill you come home! but be careful and let God use you in awesome ways and always be open to what he is saying (it may even be a small voice or random situation)! thats what i learned about all “that stuff” we talked about before you left! God is amazing and uses situations to help you and also maybe others! but anyways I LOVE YOU and don’t ever forget that! God loves you and he is AWESOME! NEVER FORGET THAT!
amber leigh 🙂
Hey!!! I read your letter to…(Jade never could keep anything to herself!)I didn’t know how much I would miss you! I know the clinic misses you:) Hope all is well, I have been praying for you. Can’t wait to hear about everything! God Bless!
~Love Carol~
Christin, Girl I can hardly wait to hear your stories. Wish I could be there to make those children feel the love of God through me also. Keep up the good work!!! We are still so proud of you. Love you. Nana
HEY Girly!! I am praying for you as you are so far away!! You have grown up so much in the 10 years I have known you. I pray God will touch the people there thru your wisdom, compassion and leadership to share Jesus!! We love you and will love to hear your stories!! Carmen
I’m not mad that you contacted me. I’m actually really happy that you did… You’ve been on my mind and in my prayers a lot lately. I’m so glad the youth minister position is going well. You seem like you have grown a lot in the Lord while I’ve been gone! That’s what I’ve been praying for. I thank God for you daily! Love ALWAYS! And I have just the thing as far as the travel goes. We’ll talk about it when I get home. I don’t know if you’ll be up to it, but it’s an AWESOME opportunity if you are. I love you and pray for the best <><
Actually God informed me to change my fast 🙂 I’m fasting from something else, but I’m still keeping our fast as well. I think it will strengthen us spiritually as well as our relationship 🙂 And so far I’ve been right! I will feel differently but in a VERY good way 🙂 Love and prayers!
Hey yall! I miss all of you too! Colby, I’ll tell you more when I make it home 🙂 don’t worry it’s good! Jade, I miss u SO much. Tell flip he’ll never beat me! I bought Hal and Kyla something today. Hope they like… Jessi! I can’t wait to see you and Avery again haha. Miss you! Nana I’m so proud of you and miss you! tell gdad I miss him too! Amber, thanks and love ya like a sis! Carol, can’t wait to see ya again! Gotta go! In a hurry! Love to all!
Hey you guys! Thanks to all for the prayers. I made it home safely and in one piece except for my broken heart… I just pray I never go back to the way I was before this trip. Love you all!