Mary's Testimony: "I wanted to stop being a good little girl."

I recently wrapped up the Testimony Series I've been running for the past couple of months, but received a submission that I wanted to share.  Many thanks to Mary for sharing her story about how God met her where she was and transformed her life...

Everyone has a life story.

For me, my story only truly began when I came to know Jesus.

I grew up in a Christian family. My parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors loved the Lord with all their heart. I was taught that Jesus loved me in Sunday School. I sang in children’s choir. I went to Vacation Bible School every summer. My father was a deacon. My mother the church pianist. I basically grew up in church.

When I was 10 years old I listened intently as my Pastor preached on Hell and the reality of it one Sunday night at church. At 10 years old I knew I was a sinner and needed Jesus to forgive me of my sins and be the Lord of my life.

Fast forward to when I was 16 years old: I told Jesus I didn’t want to live His way anymore. I wanted to stop being a "good little girl." I started messing around with alcohol. How quickly that first sip spiraled into a full on disaster.

Many bad decisions were made.

After trying to turn my life around from the alcohol mess, I found myself in another mess, an eating disorder. During this time in my life I was very depressed and hated everything about myself.

Let’s look behind the scenes of this story…

Jesus was watching the whole story unfold. Not only was He watching, but He was holding my hand. He was gently calling me back to Himself. He was protecting me. He was being patient with me. He was loving me when I chose to stop loving Him.He was sending people into my life to provide wisdom and guidance for my young and confused heart.

Fast forward now to college: After many experiences I finally understood what MY faith was all about. It became my own. My faith was not taught to me in Sunday School. My faith was not handed down to me from my parents. My faith was now my faith.

It was mine because I had lived it and experienced it personally. I knew that Jesus had been behind the scenes the whole time. I knew that He loved me no matter what I did. That He had forgiven me for all the mistakes I had made. That had already been accomplished when He became my Lord and Savior at age 10. I decided to stop running from Him and to join Him in what He was doing in my life.

Fast forward to present day: I'm a 25-year-old wife and dietitian. I don’t even know who that former girl used to be. Not because years have now passed and people do grow up and change. It goes much deeper than that. I do not remember her because I am no longer her.

I cannot imagine how different my story would be today if I had not turned my whole life back over to Jesus. I would be a totally different person.

I chose to believe that Jesus is who He says He is, that the Bible is 100% His word and it is truth, that He says I am beautiful, worthy, and enough.

Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.
I am currently on my journey to Heaven, one day at a time. I have never been so in love.

This is a guest post by Mary, who blogs at Mary in Marriedland. She says, "I am a twenty something newlywed who lives in Tennessee with my awesome husband, James. I am a Registered Dietitian and currently work in a long term care facility. I am most passionate about Jesus, my Lord and Savior. He changed my life and continues to change me daily. His love is perfect. I desire for my readers to see Him for who He really is. I want to share His joy, peace, and truth through my own struggles and victories. I also have two other obsessions... photography and nutrition. You will see these alot on my blog. I am one blessed girl. I am just taking it one day at a time."