Why am I a Christian?

When I was very young, I had the faith of a child. I remember being on my knees crying and praying, knowing what it truly meant to have a heart experience with God. I think even then I had an understanding that God was there not only to save me, but to change me into something better. I remember how I naively thought that once I was baptised I would never sin again...hence all the crying.

Then, when I was older, I didn't let go but I didn't exactly hold on either. I was very insecure. I wasn't about to add being some weird Christian that other teenagers ostracized to my growing list of insecurities. So, I chose to be a "normal" teenager and have friends instead. In God's wisdom, he utilized my natural tendencies and allowed me to focus in on just a few close friends and only one boyfriend. Since the friends were "good kids" and the boyfriend's affections were short lived, I managed to stay out of trouble throughout my high school years. I even remember some revival moments when I would try to share the gospel with my friends. However, it was my mother's gospel, not mine. I hadn't personalized it yet. In fact, it is only now in my 30's that I am truly coming to "know" God like he intended me to "know" him.

This is what I now know: I am a Christian because I was the product of a teenage pregnancy, because my broken teenage mother did not know how to be a mother to me, because my grandfather had been through enough drama with his teenage daughter and didn't want me, because I carried a diagnosis of Turner's Syndrome that could have led my family to discard me, and because despite it all, my grandmother would not see me aborted or adopted. She chose to be my mother and to show me a picture of God's love that would alter the course of my unwanted existence. More importantly, she chose to dedicate this unwanted child to God. I had no choice. She and God made the choice for me and I am literally, eternally grateful.

This is a hasty and simplistic explanation, but I thought it important to point out the influence each of us have on the lives of others. Never take for granted your responsibility in nurturing and loving another human being.