"My Walk With God" by Malachi H

  

          As a kid I grew up in a Christian household, my entire family believed in God. So as a kid that meant I had to believe in God as well. I considered myself a Christian because my family was, but I never really decided on my own that I wanted to commit my life to Jesus Christ until two years ago. I attended Winter camp at my church, when I gave my heart to God. And when I did, I found out how good God really is.

         I was always a super shy and insecure kid growing up. When I got to middle school, my insecurity skyrocketed because I started getting bullied. My 7th and 8th grade school years were probably the worst. When I was in 7th grade my mom started making me go to Bible Study on Wednesdays at our church. I hated it so much, I would go, not listen and goof around with my friends. After a while, my friends stopped coming, but that didn't stop me from being on my phone and not listening to the youth Pastor when I should have been. My mom would pick me up from church and ask me what the lesson was about and I would just lie and make something up.

          When I got to high school my life took a turning point for the worst. My grandmother got really sick from cancer, my grandfather was hospitalized, and this affected my grades heavily. This was the most depressing time in my entire life so far, and after my grandparents sadly passed away, my parents got a divorce. My parents getting a divorce tore my heart apart, at this point in my life I wasn't even thinking about God or anything to do with him. I was struggling so bad in school that I barely passed my freshman and sophomore year. And I remember just sitting in my room playing video games all day and not eating. My family was worried about me. I was sad, I felt alone, and depressed for about a year until my mom made me start going to church again. This time when I went back even though I didn't  want to I would actually pay attention and get something out of the message. I slowly started to come out of my depression.

           I started to get more involved in my church community. I made lots of friends and felt more like myself. I got a better understanding of what it is truly like to be a believer in Jesus Christ and found out that I really was not living for Him. Two years ago my church had “Winter Camp” for the youth and attending this camp truly changed my life. At the camp they had all sorts of games and food, but the best part was that I decided to give my life to Jesus Christ. This was the best thing I could have done for myself. As soon as I surrendered my heart to God, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I could not wait to get home and tell my family about the decision and experience that I had at Winter Camp.

         My family and my church mentors were so happy with my decision to follow Jesus, and I felt like a different person. I was no longer sad, and I was no longer depressed. When we got back from winter camp, I started to really get involved with my church and I loved going every Sunday and Wednesday. After my experience with God, I started reading the Bible. I set up a daily devotional time for myself three times a day where I just sit, read the bible and spend time with God. This routine helped me  grow so much more closer to God. I remember sitting down on my bed and just thinking about how crazy and messed up my life was just about 2 years ago. I remember thanking God for fixing my life and loving me with all his heart.  After that experience, I became more confident in myself and more willing to put myself out there.

        Now I feel stronger and better.  Of course I still have my own problems and struggles, but God brought me out of the darkness and gave me a new life. I am so grateful and happy with the progress I have made with my life and relationship with God so far. I now know that I can not and will not live without His guidance. He is my best friend!