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by Sandra DykstraI am not afraid of change. Educated and independent I left everything familiar to pursue an MBA in a foreign country, and eventually moved across the world to be with the man I love. I had the dream – the job, the family, the adventure – and I nearly threw it all away.
I had everything I needed in Venezuela. Successful by any definition, I had a job that excited me, a secure financial future for myself and my daughter Susana, even a boyfriend. Still, when the opportunity came to take a Harvard sponsored Master's degree at a school in Costa Rica, I took it. The decision changed my life.
During my first semester in Costa Rica a fellow student fell in love with me and asked me to marry him. I said "no". A student from Canada, Kevin sent me post cards of Vancouver to try to and change my mind. He followed me everywhere I went and I thought he was crazy. He asked me to marry him many times and eventually I said "yes." Because it was best for my daughter, I decided to sacrifice my career and come to live in Canada.
Shortly after I arrived in Canada a woman from the church I was attending asked my mother-in-law if I would be interested in coming to their Wednesday morning bible study. I didn't want to go – I thought that these church women would try to brain wash me with their religion – but I really wanted to improve my English and get to know some Canadians so with mixed emotions, I went.
The ladies in the group were very nice to me and patient with my poor English. I was really surprised when the group's leader told me that she had been a missionary in Venezuela for seven years. Becky spoke perfect Spanish and she helped me with the words that I couldn't understand.
The group was studying a book called God Came Near by Max Lucado. During one of the discussions somebody mentioned that Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, to clean us from our sins. I had never heard that before. She explained that Jesus, the Son of God, died in my place so that I could be forgiven. She told me that I could have this forgiveness and a personal relationship with God, all I had to do was ask.
For years, in spite of all my successes, I had been carrying the shame of being divorced and guilt from other things that I had done in my life. I was accomplished, but I didn't have any patience and my independence made me view my sweet husband as weak and worthless. I had lost sight of all the good things in my life and my frustration was mounting. I was even considering another divorce. This Jesus was offering a way out of my guilt and I couldn't let it pass. That day, right after the bible study session, I prayed in Spanish with Becky. I confessed my sins to God and I asked for His forgiveness and I invited Jesus to live in my heart.
I am still not the most patient woman in the world, but I'm working on it. I know how blessed I am to have my husband Kevin and I am happy to spend the rest of my days with him. I didn't have an earthly father but now I have protection, guidance and love from my Father in heaven. Now I really do have everything I need.
Take a look at your life. How would you describe it? Contented? Rushed? Exciting? Stressful? Moving forward? Holding back? For many of us it’s all of the above at times. There are things we dream of doing one day, there are things we wish we could forget. In the Bible, it says that Jesus came to make all things new. What would your life look like if you could start over with a clean slate?
Living with hope
If you are looking for peace, there is a way to balance your life. No one can be perfect, or have a perfect life. But every one of us has the opportunity to experience perfect grace through a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.
You can receive Christ right now by faith through prayer. Praying is simply talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart. Here's a suggested prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.
Does this prayer express the desire of your heart? You can pray it right now, and Jesus Christ will come into your life, just as He promised.
Is this the life for you?
If you invited Christ into your life, thank God often that He is in your life, that He will never leave you and that you have eternal life. As you learn more about your relationship with God, and how much He loves you, you'll experience life to the fullest.
