Growing up in the projects of Dunedin, Florida was tough. We lived across from a sewage treatment plant and with it came every negative stereotype you can imagine. But throughout my childhood I never realized we were poor, because there was always so much love. I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything.

Broken promises

My mom was only 18 when she had me, and I grew up without a father. There were times when my dad promised to come by and bring over things for Christmas and my birthday but he would never come.

I tried to hide my disappointment so I wouldn’t hurt my mom. I never wanted her to think that she was insufficient. She was more than I needed. My mom gave me all she had and she supported me in everything I did. She was the one who gave me a foundation in the church and a strong belief system.

A faith through tough times

There was a time when I went to church because I had to. Church became more of a personal decision when I accepted Jesus into my heart at nine years old. Since becoming a Christian, I have always found encouragement during challenging times.

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I have had some tough times in my life. My great-great grandmother, whom I loved deeply, passed away before she could see me succeed as a football player. My wife’s father was shot and killed when we were in university. Her sister died of cancer only three weeks after being diagnosed, leaving behind three small children. Most recently, her mom died.

Touching the lives of others

God has used the hard times in my life to help me touch the lives of others. I learned early in life that God is the only way to complete happiness. When I became a Christian I learned the true purpose and meaning of life. I now place my trust and hope in God.

Everyone has trials. No one is exempt from that. The difference is that I have a hope in Jesus Christ. Apart from God, there is no hope. If we don’t put our hope in God, we end up putting it in things that perish and fade away. Belief in God is the only thing that lasts.

Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?

Living with hope

If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here’s a suggested prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.

Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.

Image credit: Never Was An Arrow II