I wouldn't really say I was born in a Christian family household. My mom was a Christian, but my dad unfortunately wasn't. When I was three years old, I met my best friend, Lani. She brought me to Livingstone Alliance Church and that was when I started learning about this mysterious heavenly Father. In the beginning, I never really understood the integrity of the bible. I thought it was just one big book of story tales. Furthermore, my only motivation to go to church was to see Lani. There would be days my mom would have to force me to go to church because I really hated waking up so early every Sunday morning. Church became a mundane chore, a waste of a day.
As I grew up, I realized the lack of love expression I had in my family. We were one of those Asian families that didn't really know how to express their love (except through lectures and restrictions). In result, I grew up not knowing how to love. I knew my parents loved me, but sometimes it was hard to tell because of how solemnly they showed it. It was hard to learn how steadfast and wonderful God's love is for me. I didn't know it, I didn't understand it. I lived my childhood days having God in the back of my mind, praying for only my desires. I treated him almost like Santa Claus--"if I am a good kid, surely God will gift me with the things I desire!"
A few years later, I went to a retreat that changed my life forever. I don't remember what happened, but I do remember suddenly wanting to know about this God. I didn't care about my earthly desires anymore. I just wanted to know this Jesus Christ who has loved me so deeply. I wanted not only to learn about him, but to love him too. I remembered crying suddenly and feeling my knees fall. I prayed for him to come into my life. And on that day, I realize that this was just the beginning of my struggles and joy of being a Christian.
When I was 15 and a half years old, I gave my life to Christ, and was baptized in the month of September. To this day, God has continued to worked in my life. And through my constant ups and downs, I know that my God can do the impossible, and I will always feel the joy of knowing that.
As I grew up, I realized the lack of love expression I had in my family. We were one of those Asian families that didn't really know how to express their love (except through lectures and restrictions). In result, I grew up not knowing how to love. I knew my parents loved me, but sometimes it was hard to tell because of how solemnly they showed it. It was hard to learn how steadfast and wonderful God's love is for me. I didn't know it, I didn't understand it. I lived my childhood days having God in the back of my mind, praying for only my desires. I treated him almost like Santa Claus--"if I am a good kid, surely God will gift me with the things I desire!"
A few years later, I went to a retreat that changed my life forever. I don't remember what happened, but I do remember suddenly wanting to know about this God. I didn't care about my earthly desires anymore. I just wanted to know this Jesus Christ who has loved me so deeply. I wanted not only to learn about him, but to love him too. I remembered crying suddenly and feeling my knees fall. I prayed for him to come into my life. And on that day, I realize that this was just the beginning of my struggles and joy of being a Christian.
When I was 15 and a half years old, I gave my life to Christ, and was baptized in the month of September. To this day, God has continued to worked in my life. And through my constant ups and downs, I know that my God can do the impossible, and I will always feel the joy of knowing that.