My mother raised me from birth on her own. I'm 31 now and did not meet
my father until I was 28. I had uncles who showed me some manly things
that my mom couldn't. I had cousins that took the place of brothers and
sisters being that I was raised an only child. The first eight years of my
life, my mom and I went from house to house, living with different
relatives. At eight years old, we finally got our own apartment and my mom
still lives there to this day. My grandfather was a preacher and I was
raised in church. But yet still, at a very young age, I turned to the
streets.
By the time I was 21, I had done more and seen more things than your average 40 year old. But even through all that, God's grace was with me. I have a praying mother, and nobody could tell her I was doing any wrong. She believed in me, even back then. At some points, it was like I was living two different lives. I'd be out late clubbing on a Saturday night. Go home, take a nap, wake up, and go sing in the church choir Sunday morning. But one morning in Texas, while I was laying in my bed, God began to speak to me. He told me there was more in life than what I was doing. That's when I truly began to seek Him.
I moved back home, married the woman of my dreams, and clinched on to my cousin Joel for guidance. He had changed his life, so I asked him what steps should I take. He led me to Christ and from that moment on, my life has never been the same. Now, God uses my past to witness to people. When I'm in the community or when I'm at a church, people know who I used to be and who I am now, and they know it's real. And people can respect that. I know God has a mighty work for me to do for His people. I have made myself available to Him and I won't look back.
You were so fortunate to have your cousin Joel and the church connection to pull you back from the edge. You have a lovely wife and two kids and your own business. And now you are busy giving back like crazy to the community where you grew up. It sounds great to me. Anything else you'd like to tell our readers, Michael?
I would like to tell everyone not to ignore the needs of others around
you. If you want to know God accept Christ. Never think you are
unworthy. You can always change your life and make a change for the
good God is no respects of a person. If He did it for me, He can do it
for you.
Be Blessed!
Thank you, Michael. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Good luck with the Gonzales branch of Just the Right Attitude!
***
Just the Right Attitude (JTRA) website
By the time I was 21, I had done more and seen more things than your average 40 year old. But even through all that, God's grace was with me. I have a praying mother, and nobody could tell her I was doing any wrong. She believed in me, even back then. At some points, it was like I was living two different lives. I'd be out late clubbing on a Saturday night. Go home, take a nap, wake up, and go sing in the church choir Sunday morning. But one morning in Texas, while I was laying in my bed, God began to speak to me. He told me there was more in life than what I was doing. That's when I truly began to seek Him.
I moved back home, married the woman of my dreams, and clinched on to my cousin Joel for guidance. He had changed his life, so I asked him what steps should I take. He led me to Christ and from that moment on, my life has never been the same. Now, God uses my past to witness to people. When I'm in the community or when I'm at a church, people know who I used to be and who I am now, and they know it's real. And people can respect that. I know God has a mighty work for me to do for His people. I have made myself available to Him and I won't look back.
You were so fortunate to have your cousin Joel and the church connection to pull you back from the edge. You have a lovely wife and two kids and your own business. And now you are busy giving back like crazy to the community where you grew up. It sounds great to me. Anything else you'd like to tell our readers, Michael?
Be Blessed!
Thank you, Michael. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Good luck with the Gonzales branch of Just the Right Attitude!
***
Just the Right Attitude (JTRA) website
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
