I was born in Swansea and raised by Christian parents, whose love for the Lord was evident in their daily lives. I am one of three siblings and we have always been a close family despite our obvious imperfections!
I always believed in God but as I entered my teenage years I tried very hard to reject Him. I was determined not to give my life to Jesus as I had other interests, namely sports and boys. I thought that being a Christian would get in the way of these…
But God is gracious and patient and, during a camp in Pen-y-Groes, Carmarthenshire, He showed me my need of a Saviour. I felt that the messages were spoken directly at me, to my heart, despite the room being full of other campers! Even then, I tried to push God away and put the things I had heard to the back of my mind.
On the last night, a group of campers had a time of prayer and this is when I realised that they had a special, real relationship with God. I knew this was missing in my life. If I would only surrender my life to Him I could know that intimacy too.
As soon as I arrived home from camp, I ran to my room and asked God for forgiveness. There, in that moment, I felt the terrible weight of my sin lifted and I knew that God had accepted me as one of His children and I was a now a Christian.
As a new Christian, I was blessed in teenage years with a deep love for the Saviour and a desire to share the Gospel with friends and on Beach Missions and Camps.
Over the years, I have tested God’s patience many times, as well as those closest to me. I have experienced many periods of doubt, apathy and even disbelief!
These words in the book of James have been a help to me:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:7-8 ESV
This is one of my favourite promises in the Bible, where God displays His incredible mercy towards us. God does not owe us His closeness but, if we draw near to Him, He will respond by moving closer to us.
In every period of doubt in my life, God has brought me back to faith and belief in Him!
Raising 3 lovely daughters meant a 10 year or so break for me from serving on camp. Later, returning to that work was a privilege. During camp I realised that my testimony was relatable to some of the teenagers. Many of which, shared with me their struggles in their daily Christian walk, some were in need of assurance and others battling with doubt and disbelief.
I trust that my story will be of some help and encouragement and I pray that ‘the steadfast love and faithfulness of the Lord will preserve’ you as He has preserved me (Psalm 40:11).
