Faith Stories

Before I came to Christ the last thing I would've been able to willingly do is give up control - control over my surroundings, my feelings, my family, my children and just about everything. It somehow gave me a sense of stability, and I couldn't live without it. I have always had faith and considered myself a good person with a generous heart who always believed in God, but I never fully understood the Bible. I was brought up Irish Catholic and went to church when forced by my father and took part in all the "rituals" I was supposed to but never felt like I had actually learned anything. I had self-destructive addictions that I thought would haunt me forever - like smoking. And despite the fact that I had lost my father way too young to the same addiction, I could never quit. It was how I coped with stress, how I celebrated a good day, and how I put myself to sleep at night. No matter how desperately my family and friends wanted me to quit, I never thought I had the power to do it on my own. It was a struggle I had for almost 20 years.

How I came to ACC was my neighbor, Lynn, who had been inviting me and my family for almost a year and never gave up trying. How I came to Christ was my big sister, Tammy. She had been wanting me to find a church for years and has been a Christian all of her adult life. I saw firsthand what it could do, and I really wanted to be a part of it. So, after neither of them ever giving up on me, one Saturday afternoon while playing outside with the boys, I said to Chris, "We are going to church tomorrow." I knew I had to be a better example for my kids than I had been and thought maybe, just maybe, this could be the way. After being here once (once!) this past October I was hooked, and I tease Dave that “you all had me at ‘hello!’ ” Never before had I felt so comfortable in a church from the very beginning - and so welcomed. I knew this is where I belonged and something instantly in me started to change.

After coming to ACC for several months and so looking forward to my Sundays here, I learned about Christ and what he had done for me and what sacrifices he had made for me. I couldn't get enough and wanted more! I finally was learning how to take what was written in the Bible and apply it to my life everyday. And without any second thoughts it just stared to snowball and spill into my life. A sense of calmness and contentment just started to fill my heart, and week after week the control I thought I so desperately needed was no longer mine. It had nothing to do with me, and I finally felt at peace. How could I keep doing all these things to myself that were so self-destructive while He was a part of my life fighting for me to be healthy? That is what he wants for me, and I finally wanted it for myself too. I knew He wanted better for me, and who was I to say “no?” Once I let go of the control I thought I had and gave it to GOD, without hesitation or thinking twice, I quit smoking! Something I never thought I could do. I started exercising regularly and eating healthier; my entire attitude and outlook was changing. I became a better mother, wife, friend, aunt, and Christian. I knew He had a plan for me and what I was doing before I received this amazing gift wasn't it. I am stronger, happier, healthier, and more at peace than I have ever been in my life. I hope by sharing my story, I can make a difference in someone else's life and continue to learn and continue to spread the Good News that GOD is great, and I am proof!