This week, I’m celebrating the 19th anniversary of my arrest, my sobriety, and my faith in Christ. I’ve been walking with Jesus for 19 years! It’s been a challenging journey, but I’ve found a patient, loving, and unfailingly kind God, even during the toughest times. If you know my story, you know there have been plenty of tough times.

For those who are unfamiliar with my history, here’s the condensed version: I am an adult survivor of childhood sexual assault, and these experiences led to a life of seeking solace in harmful behaviors. For over 25 years, I sought comfort in sex, alcohol, and drugs. However, such pursuits never lead to positive outcomes, and mine landed me in jail.

Nineteen years ago this week, I was arrested by the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration on charges of trafficking and distributing over 500 grams of methamphetamine. At that time, I was deeply entrenched in a life of drug addiction and depravity. I had been using various substances for over 25 years, with the last 11 years dominated by daily methamphetamine use. I felt hopeless and broken. However, everything changed when I encountered Jesus.

Completely out of options and locked up on charges that carried a minimum mandatory 10-year sentence, I felt like I had nothing to lose by reaching out to a God I doubted existed. That prayer packed a punch. Not only did I receive the miracle of passing from death to life, but I was also instantaneously healed of my drug and alcohol addiction!

Ever since that moment, I have never been the same. I was once spiritually dead, but now I feel alive, and I’ve never gotten over it. I turned to Him for all the wrong reasons, but He answered my paltry prayer and completely transformed my life. I cannot emphasize enough how astonishing it was for me to realize that Jesus is real.

I had to learn early on that loving Jesus doesn’t mean everything becomes easy. Even though I was shown mercy in my court sentence, I still had to spend time in prison. However, that difficult period became a place where God’s promises took root, and I’m living in the fulfillment of so many of those promises today. Most specifically, Romans 8:28: “God causes ALL THINGS to work together for the good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.” It reminds me of the lyrics of a song by Brandon Lake: “I’m living proof of what the mercy of God can do. If you knew me then, you’d believe me now, He turned my whole world upside down. Took the old and He made it new. That’s what the mercy of God can do.”

I told one of my best friends that I created the mess, but Jesus transformed it into a message of grace and hope. Isn’t that just like Him? Like turning water into wine and bringing dead things back to life? That’s my King Jesus for you! If you haven’t met Him yet, trust me, you’re missing out on the best thing Heaven has to offer. There’s nothing in this world that even comes close. You’ll find that He’s just a simple prayer away from changing your life!

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