Prodigal

I was the poster child for the party scene, willing to try anything that would help me to better fit in.

Story Photos

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Story Tags

financial trouble, wild living, drinking, depression, approval, College

Explore the Story

• Identity Crisis
• The Hole in Our Heart
• Where's God in suffering?
• Craving Acceptance
• Twists and Turns
• Finding True Love
• Living to the Fullest

I began attending church when I was three years old, and considered myself a Christian for as long as I can remember. As I began to make the transition from High School to College, I began to seek my own independence. As I began my quest for freedom, I turned my back on the things that were important to me. My relationship with my family became strained, I lost contact with all my friends from church and my relationship with God began to dissolve. My life was going just fine, I thought. I was the poster child for the party scene and was willing to try anything that would help me to better fit in. Whenever anyone brought up anything about God, I quit listening and completely shut them out. After all, this was my life and I was going to do what made me happy. I didn't need God or anyone else standing in the way of my fun.

Because of this mindset, I lived from one day to the next. I was barely getting by, and my grades reflected my lifestyle. Somehow, I finished my degree and after graduation I decided to stay in Gainesville because I wasn't ready to leave the party scene where everybody knew me and everybody liked me. I got a part time job in town where I made just enough money to almost pay my bills. I was spending more money than I was making, but it was okay because I was still having fun.

I hit my ultimate low when I went home for Thanksgiving weekend. I partied hard all weekend long, climaxing on Saturday night when I stayed up all night with some of my friends and got completely trashed. When my mom came to get me up for church on Sunday, she found me hungover and a complete mess. Even in my drunken stupor, I could see my mom's heart breaking as she realized just how bad I was screwing up my life. It was then that a switch went off in my head. It was like someone took the blinders off my eyes and I could see my life for what it really was. I began to reflect on where my life was and where it was going. As usual, I had a terrible hangover and I was tired of the way that felt. I was completely broke, and all of my credit cards were maxed out. I was a college graduate and I was working a part time job for minimum wage. I was at a dead end and I had no plans for the future. I began to realize that I wasn't happy at all, I was miserable. The fun I thought I was having was counterfeit. In short, my life was a fraud.

I finally realized that I wasn't going to make it on my own. I was at a dead end and there was only one way out. I cried out to God, and I pleaded for Him to help me. I asked God to forgive me for turning my back on Him. I asked Him to stay in my heart and to forgive me of all my sins. I prayed that He would turn my life around and get me out of the hopeless situation I had created for my self.

Since I gave my life back to God, he has continued to bless me day in and day out in all that I do. I have been blessed with an extraordinary group of fellow believers who serve as a support group for me through every challenge that I face. I am no longer into the party scene, and I have no desire to be either. I no longer spend more money than I make. In fact, I consolidated my credit card bills and just recently finished paying them off. I graduated with my masters degree and started a career that I absolutely love. I am on staff with Campus Crusade for Christ, where I work with college students in Atlanta, helping them to connect with God and grow in their faith. God has given me a direction for my future. As I strive to seek the Lord, He continues to draw me closer to Him. My relationship with God grows more and more each day.

Since I made the decision to give control of my life to God, my life has improved so much. I'm still nowhere near where I want to be in my relationship with God, but I know that He loves me and sees that I'm trying to serve him with all my heart. There are times when I slip up, but God always forgives me. He has used these experiences to strengthen me so I won't make the same mistakes over and over again. It's so reassuring to know that no matter what, God will always love me and be here for me.