no-hoper, not disappointed
I was born in 1975 and for as long as I can remember, I have always believed in ‘a God’ but I was never sure of who he was or where he was.
I grew up in a broken home. My dad was a violent drunk and he and my mum divorced when I was 5 years old. My mother met Dave and married again when I was seven and he became my dad.
As teenage years came upon me, I started to rebel and caused my mum and dad lots of grief. I was brought before the magistrates’ court a number of times for misdemeanours. I believe I was kicking back at my upbringing.
I left school (actually I was asked to leave) at the earliest opportunity and started training to become a bricklayer. At eighteen I went off to work in Germany where I stayed for two years. This was not a good thing as I was young with lots of money in my pockets and boy did I spend it! We would go out at 7pm and not come back until 1-2pm the next day; we would just party until we dropped – but inside I felt terrible, I knew this was just not me. I felt I had let the world down.
I came back to Wales and started work here where I met a labourer called Brett. He was a Christian and he really spoke out about his faith. Of course I just scoffed and called him a weirdo but I admired him for his faith.
Then my world changed. I met Jane, my soul mate. We got on so well that within a month we were engaged and inside a year, married. The one thing that was special about Jane was that she was a Christian. Though she never pushed me, both her parents have since told me that they prayed constantly for me at that time. I was free to seek and ask questions about this man, Jesus; I was not disappointed. We found a home church and I did a course on Christianity. I was so impressed I gave my life to Christ and was baptised in water.
One thing they don’t tell you when you become a Christian is how difficult it can be. I still had some issues in my life that I had to deal with – and still do. The wonderful thing is that Christ’s light exposes our weaknesses so we can deal with them.
As time passed we settled in a good church where I grew stronger in my faith in the Lord and took on the youth work. I have been the youth pastor for two years now and God has also blessed us with two children of our own (up to now!) – but the best is yet to come.
Six months ago I was baptised in the Holy Spirit and a month ago I started speaking in tongues ( a heavenly prayer language given by God). My own unbelief had stopped me from receiving this for some time. Now I look for more gifts so that I can use them for Christ’s glory.
I have learnt that Christ chooses some real no-hopers to work for him and for that I thank him. It’s not finished yet, I look forward to all the things he has for me and my family. Someone said “Follow him and you won’t be disappointed”. How right they were!
Spence
North Wales