Mari: At 18 months-old, I was adopted from Ukraine into a loving, Christian family. In 6th grade, I found myself battling self-image. Am I smart enough? Am I good enough? Am I beautiful? And so on…
I tried to end my life that year, but it didn’t work. Fast forward to my junior year in high school, and those feelings still hadn’t gone away. I began thinking that this is all I’ll ever know. For the second time, I tried to end my life. When it didn’t work, I ran away. The police picked me up and brought me back home, and seeing the worry on my parents faces opened up a window that I’ve never seen before. My parents weren’t ready to punish, they were ready to love on me!
I don’t know why I was so afraid to open up about what I was going through, but when I did, so many people came along side me, prayed, encouraged, and lifted me up. After several years of believing there was nothing significant about my life, Jesus swooped down and used His people to help me realize that I’m one of His people too! Last summer, I committed my life to the Lord and was baptized — now my mission is to seek out others who may need an extra boost.
Matthew, I love your song “Walking Miracles”…it spoke right to me because I have experienced that first-hand, and in the lives of others!
