Michele’s Story

I grew up going to church; I was at youth group all of the time. In eighth grade I
went to a Bible camp and accepted the Lord. I remember having an encounter with
God. But of course I had to go back home to my reality.  At an early age I started to drink, use drugs and experiment with that lifestyle.

Throughout college my alcohol and drug use just escalated…and as I lived that lifestyle, I experienced all of the consequences from everything I was doing.  I had run ins with the police, I was hurt and used and then ultimately became the user. I was reckless and careless with my life. And in those moments where I was at the bottom, in trouble or hurting, I remember turning to the Lord. I would read a Psalm and try to pray…I don’t know if I ever knew what I was reading, or if it made sense at that time, but I did feel a sense of peace and forgiveness.

After college, even though I was still using, God started to open my eyes. I was starting to believe that I deserved more than the life I was leading.
I went on a business trip with my boss, and we got a call from her sister really early
in the morning. I had to hand the phone to my boss and witness her finding out that her husband had passed away while we were gone. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life, where someone has just lost everything, and can’t do anything about it because we’re hundreds of miles away.

When I got home, I just broke down, and started to question everything about life and just how quickly it can be gone.

Soon after that, God started to put people in my life who were believers; I started to have the desire to go back to church.  I met some people who introduced me to this church and I became part of a Bible study… but I was still searching – but they were talking aboutJesus and the cross and forgiveness.  I didn’t remember ever being told any of that –but I know I had been, I just hadn’t been in a place to hear it or accept it.

I started to see that my past could be forgiven….everything that I did,
all the hurt that I caused others and myself…and all of the reckless decisions I had
made….they could be wiped clean…I could be made new because of the sacrifice that
Christ made on the cross.
My life had been all about overindulging and self‐gratification….I tried drugs,
alcohol, sex ..I tried everything to get pleasure out of this life…but it never fulfilled
me. I was left feeling empty and guilty and wanting more.

I don’t remember the day, I don’t remember the time, but I just remember saying,
“Lord, I’m done with this life…I’m done living it for me.” And as I started to move
forward with living my faith, all those desires were gone. I was freed from wanting
to drink, wanting to do drugs, with all of it – none of that remained. I know it’s not
the norm..but the forgiveness and grace that the Lord offered me has given me hope
to move forward and to know that I don’t need to turn to those things to fill my life
anymore.
He is enough.