I grew up on a farm in a small community in Michigan. I had a fairly normal childhood. . . school, sports, church. My family has lived in this small town for decades and still continues to do so. I attended church as a child, learning all about the stories of the Bible, but never hearing about the forgiveness of sins through Christ. At 18, at a basketball outreach through a local church, I answered the call of Christ in my heart, then I spent the next 12 years running.
I went to college, got my teaching degree, got married and began what I thought was the “successful” life. Everything I tried I had success with. Little did I realize that I was living a false existence. One day I found myself divorced, alone and empty. I had been trying to find happiness and contentment in all the wrong places.
After Mandy and I married, I realized that my life and the marriage would continue down the same path if something in me didn’t change, yet I was powerless to change myself. I remembered also the commitment that I had made at age 18 and how I had been running from the only One who could really change me. With much broken-ness, sorrow and repentance, I threw myself at the mercy and grace of my Savior. . . then a miracle happened!
Slowly something inside me began to change. I know now that it was the Holy Spirit changing my heart. I knew that it wasn’t me changing myself for I knew that I was powerless to make the changes that were happening. God totally and radically changed me! I recommitted my life to serving Him and my heart is surrendering daily to His will for my life.
When God called Mandy and I to adopt Andre’, we couldn’t say no. We knew that it was what He wanted us to do. I resigned as head football coach at my school to be a better dad and have more time and emotion for my family. Now, God has blessed us with Caleb. Raising sons who loves God is my highest priority. I feel that it is my calling. In fact, I am so grateful for all God has done in my life that I want only to serve Him and answer any other callings He has for me in my life.
Cary
