What led you to a spiritual path?

[Matt]

When I was a young boy, my Mom and Dad used to make us kids go to church. Although they wouldn't go. Well Mom did more than Dad. Every night I'd hear my Dad in his room though, praying, I always had a good feeling about this and thought it was the right thing to do. Although at this age I didn't start praying regularly I was more concerned abour GI Joe's, Transformers, and going out to play. One night, I was somewhere in my pre-teens, my Mom and Dad had guests over. They were talking about life after death. I felt troubled, worried is a better word I guess. What if there was nothing after I died what if there was just death? I went in my room to pray about it. One of first times a really truly prayed. I got an immediate, profound answer.

I began to pray every night before bed. As I became a teenager I got involved with the wrong crowd. I never quit praying though. It was still something I did no matter what. This went on for a couple of years then I started to notice that the people that stayed in this life were destroyed. I had only two choices one was to stay this way and ruin my life, and the other was to change. I changed, and joined the Military. I thought this would give me direction. It did, and today I'm a pretty happy guy. I try to be a good spiritual man, sometimes I have bad days but I just keep going on doing the best I can. I beleive in Christ, and I'm very happy with all that he has blessed me with, even my trials in life.

There were a few key things that happend in my life that have brought me to were I am. Some I listed here and some I didn't. I figure that all of us have a story of what lead us to be where we are at whether it be through parents or an expierence.

One last side note. I know we have theological differences on religion. I'd like to not bring that into this thread. I just would like to know how God has worked in your life that has lead you to him?

[Matt E]

I was reared in the Episcopal church. When I became a teen started drifting from the straight and narrow path.It wasn't the bad crowd I liked to do my own thing . I drank,Gambled and you know the rest. When my mother started to have problem I went home an took care of her. I married and settled down with a wonderful lady. My mother said that it was one of the happiest day in her life. I cared for her until her demise.She turned my life around. I now have the peace that I was looking for. I now have a grandchild with another on the way.I have been blessed beyond description. Why, I don't know. I am so undeserving. God is good and may he bless you all.

[Esquire]

Matt,

This is a good topic. I am in a transition from one office to another and my DSL is down at work. Plus I'm swamped - so maybe I can respond more on this later.

Mike

[Cato]

I was raised in a Christian home, and made a genuine profession of faith early in life. I had a prayer life, and attended church. Church attendance, however, was out of obligation.

At 26 years of age, I went through a personal crisis in my life. It was at this time that I began to read my Bible daily, and actually seek a relationship with God. It was only then that I began to realize that God wants more than anything else, a relationship with us, and only when we seek that will all the other issues of life begin to make sense.

I fianlly realized that God did not put me on this earth to have a big party in life. He put me here expecting me to seek a relationship with Him, and allow Him to lead me through this life. My primary goal in life is (should be) to be available to do the things that glorify Him. With that as a top priority, out of His goodness He has given me many blessings.

Since that time I have been able to steadily witness the blessings of God in my life.

[fredbearfan]

My mother was a nun until she was 19 years old ... yes it's true. You can imagine how important it was to go to church every Sunday. I never got anything out of it. I believed in God but that's where spirituality ended for me.

I was 21 when my best friend (Stan) died of an overdose. At the graveyard, we were pulling the cars over and it started to pour rain. A white bird flew from a tree close to the grave site. I thought "wow" that was a cool coincidence. No one got out of the cars because it was raining so hard so I turned on the radio. The radio started playing Stan's favorite song.

I thought "wow" two coincidences in 2 minutes! The next song was MY favorite song! "WOW". I have always been a little thick headed so I pretty much needed to witness a miracle to really connect to God. From that day on I was convinced that there are NO coincidences. There is something more to this life than meets the eye. Whenever I was in trouble it seemed that a calm feeling would come over me and I would feel "directed" to do something that took my mind away from the trouble or a solution would pop into my mind.

I found the perfect wife. I have a wonderful family. I walked away from a high paying job I hated and walked into a job I absolutely love. I'm working with troubled kids and disabled adults. I make exactly enough money to live comfortably and not a penny more or less. I never applied for the job. I went in to volunteer and they hired me. I had no qualifications. The Director did not know me and I had no other contacts in the human services field. I've been promoted three times in two years. People tell me how lucky I am and I always tell them, "There are no coincidences". Let go and let God. That inner voice you hear isn’t you.

God gave me a voice I could relate to, understand, whatever. Stan was the voice and now I listen for that voice always. Stan had a purpose for living. That's why he was born, connected to me and then died. God needed to get close to me before I would listen.

Well, now you know a secret that I have only shared with my wife in the last 26 years. I'm sure there is a purpose for this too.

[Matt]

fredbearfan,
That was one of the best stories I've heard. I really enjoyed it.

[Cato]

FBF,

Thanks for being willing to allow us to enjoy your experience.

Cato

[George Tsoukalas]

The Lord drew me too Him. I believe He draw us all. Some jump into His arms. Some push Him away. I don't ever remember a time when He wasn't somewhere in my life. He's always around me. I just listen more now. Jawge