I grew up in Christian home.
That's what I always thought my testimony would solely consist of. I personally thought I would have a boring life. No drugs, no promiscuity, no grand redemption or repentance or rebuilding from a broken start. Just a "goodie-two-shoes" growing up to be a "proverbs 31 wife."
I was so wrong.
I met Jesus when I was young. He was always there with me, although I was only reminded of that when I was in Sunday school. I remember learning from Mrs. Tarbell all about the journey we go on as Christians and how the road we walk is hard, but worth it. I knew that God was with me just like I knew that I would have food everyday or get in trouble when I lied. He was simply there. Nothing more.
Then something changed. My sister put three states between us. My soul-mate, my protector, the tower whose shadow I hid in everyday. She was the social butterfly, the people person; I was just Mimi's sister. That's just how our birth order worked. I had some deep issues with hiding behind shyness, and when I had to come out into light, I was a little freaked out. Little did I know that God had some mighty plans in store for me.
My first year at HDC I was still hiding, but I was no longer behind anyone (unless the center divider in the Jr. High trailer counts.) It was time to define who I was. I met Taylor, my twin and soul-sister, in the summer of 2007, my freshman year. Camp was intimidating but brought us really close. She taught me to put Jesus first in my mind and I began to grasp the concept of what it was like to actually walk beside Him. But I had a long way to go to truly understand who God was.
Those were some good, strengthening times for me. I grew in inexpressible ways through my friends, family and Savior. I was finally coming out of the shell that my life had created around me. I remember always being worried during that time though. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6) was my theme verse. I knew God was with me now, but I had never really trusted Him fully with everything. Although I was in God's word, I wasn't digging deep enough yet. I was worried about my future, namely, my husband. I didn't know that God had that secured too.
During that time I found what my heart always wanted in my best friend of two years. I have to admit, he was what I was anxious about half the time. When I wasn't mad at him for making me adore him, I was tripping all over myself around him. Little did I know that Zac and I would soon be dreaming of a life together. He shows me Jesus in ways I never could have imagined. I truly had never experienced who God was as beautifully as I do now with Zac's love in my life. We both long for a love and marriage that endures through a lifetime and prepares us for the next. My worry decided to flee as soon as I gave in and invited him to coffee.
I grew up fast from there. I moved to LA for three months to complete makeup school before my 17th birthday. Only God could have given me the courage and strength for that experience. I even had the chance to encouraged my teacher to get back to reading God's word. I started studying on my own for real too. Until then I didn't know how greatly my every moment depended on the word of God.
Graduated from high school, I'm currently attending an aesthetics course to prepare me for the State Board licensing exam. I plan to work in a resort or under a doctor as an esthetician. I have a whole new relational world to influence and a brand new season to endure. I'm in love in so many ways and it doesn't matter where I go, what I do, or who I'm with as long as I continue to remember that Jesus is with me and for me always. I'm living on borrowed time and I'm proud to have God's spirit inside me, fighting for me and for the people around me.
My matured attitude wouldn't call that boring at all.