I didn’t grow up in the church.
In fact, I spent most of my life as an atheist. It wasn’t that I was angry at God—I simply didn’t believe He was there. And yet, as I look back, I can see how He was gently leaving breadcrumbs along the way.
College roommates who prayed for me.
A teacher friend who lived out her faith with quiet conviction.
Moments that planted seeds I didn’t even realize were taking root.
When I got married, my husband and I decided to try going to church. It felt new and unfamiliar, but something stirred in me. Still, that season didn’t last. Life moved on, we moved on—until we landed in North Florida.
And that’s where everything changed.
I found a church that felt like home. I began to understand not just the idea of God, but the love of Christ—and it was like nothing I had ever known. This wasn’t performance-based. It wasn’t about being “good enough.” It was love—steady, overwhelming, undeserved love. And it softened my heart in a way I can’t fully explain.
Last October, I was baptized.
I now serve in the church as often as I can, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude. Because when you’ve lived life without Christ, and then experience life with Him—you never want to go back.
Everything is different now. My peace. My priorities. My purpose.
I still have questions, of course. But I don’t live with the same emptiness I once did. I’ve found a faith that is both deeply personal and profoundly life-giving.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17
Closing Thought:
I found faith in my 40s—and in many ways, I feel like life began there. If you’re still searching, still wondering, still unsure—I understand. And I can tell you this: there is a love waiting for you that will change everything. I found it. Or rather, it found me.
Until next time—stay grounded, stay open.
