Wyatt
"Lots of partying, drugs, and alcohol. I spent a little time in jail. My parents are good, but I had broken their trust. My grandma took me in and she had a Bible. At night, I'd read it and be like, ‘man, this is some good stuff.’
I got sober through a 12-step recovery program. I always believed in a God. After I had kids, I started going back to church. I started reading my Bible, and it resonated with me. That's when it became real. Now, when I read the Word, it really strengthens me.
I've seen the dark side of life. I've learned my lessons. My mom would say, ‘don't touch the hot stove,’ but I was the kid who would touch it. Now that I've touched the stove, I know it hurts. Jesus helps me from touching the stove. I know what spiritual joy is. No matter what happens in my life today, I have a rock. Jesus is my foundation. He is my cornerstone and my source of strength. That's how I get through the chaos of the world today, and I can do it with a smile.
My cousin died when she was five. They released butterflies at her funeral. I kept her funeral slip. I still have it today; it's in my wallet. One day I was really stressed out. Becoming a new parent can be hard. Money was tight. My wife and I had gotten into a little tiff. I was with my daughter. This butterfly flies in and out of my truck and lands on my daughter. It calmed me down and brought me peace. I went to my grandma's house and pulled out that funeral brochure. It was the anniversary of her death. I started bawling. I know it was God's way of showing me that everything was okay. It was God saying, "Wyatt, you'll be okay."
Six months ago, I was in another rough patch. I was driving to work and was praying. I said, "Jesus, I need your strength today." Literally at that moment, I looked over and there is a sign that says, "The Lord is my strength." That's not coincidence to me.
When I do mess up, God's Grace is sufficient. It doesn't give me a free pass to continue sinning. Since I've sobered up, my spiritual journey as a Christian is so much better. Things that used to be acceptable aren't acceptable to me anymore. I want to do good because of Christ. No human being that ever lived, except Jesus Christ, is good enough to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Christ died for that reason. We're all sinners. We determine our path, but the Lord determines our steps, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9”
I have a 10- and 9-year-old. We say the Lord's Prayer every night. They see me hit my knees every morning before I walk out the door. It's a sign of humility to show God that, "Hey, I'm yours." I ask God to make me a tool of His will. I have to be a good example to my kids, giving Him all the Glory. Pray. Be patient. If you're struggling, read the Word. Be open. Open your heart to it. It's not about what we want. It's about what God wants. It's His design, and we need to surrender to that. Get all in, get involved, go to church (Greentree). I'm Wyatt, I'm human, and I surrender."
Comments