A moment that takes your breath away. I'm sure most of us have experienced a moment like that at some time. A moment where we are completely speechless! For most of us, these moments are usually associated with beauty, wonder and/or good times. However, these moments can also come in other forms. They can be a moment that turns your world upside down; moments when you have to sit down because your feet just won't hold you upright; moments that have you sitting in complete silence as your mind tries to absorb what is being (or was) said; moments when you don't know what to do with yourself! It feels like your breath was knocked out of your lungs...and no matter how long you sit there...nothing changes! "Awful-catch-your-breath-moments".

How can life be going along so wonderfully -- so smoothly -- one moment, and then come crashing down around us in mere seconds??? I've experienced this a few times. It never gets any easier to go through -- for no matter how often you experience on of those "awful-catch-your-breath moments", you never know what to expect. Each one is different, yet each one is the same.

The last such moment for me happened a year or so ago. It was a cousin of mine who lives in Ontario. His life seemed to be totaly perfect. He had a great job, was literally "seeing the world" as he travels quite extensively -- it seemed like he was living his dream! Then in one second everything changed! He collapsed -- had a heart attack or something! Honestly, he landed up in the hospital with so many different health issues...that suddenly seemed to be appearing out of nowhere...not even the doctors fully realized the truth about his situation for months!!!

In that moment -- when we first heard the news -- I realized just how unstable and unsure our life really is. We have absolutely NO control over what is going on; over what is happening. Oh, I know -- we often tend to forget that little fact...and think that our life is all about us...and that we can actually control the universe (or some parts of it). But then we get a "moment" and we are set back in our place! Those "awful-catch-your-breath moments" prove to us once again that we are NOT in control! When that realization finally comes...we once again go back and see that God alone is in control.

I never actually sat down and wrote it out...but I guess there's a first time for everything.

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I grew up in a Christian home. Faith in God has always been a part of who I am -- I don't think there was ever a moment when I did not believe God existed. He was sitting on His great throne in heaven -- watching over us all. "He's got the whole world in His hands..." He was in control.

As I grew up, I was active in Sunday school, went to church regularly, etc. -- but I never actually took that step and accepted Him as my Savior. I honestly don't know why; I don't know what held me back. I believed in Him; I believed in the Bible -- but I didn't want to surrender it all!

During my early teen years, I spent a lot of time with a certain female friend -- we were best friends, although completely opposites on a lot of levels. She walked the fast line, while I tended to take the slow one. She lived for the now! On occasion I did join in the fun, but for the most part I had morals that I lived by -- high ones. Eventually we reached a point where our differences were just too great and our friendship dissolved. It was a tough period for me, especially when I saw her move on with her life (and turn to my younger sister for friendship). When life raced on, I tagged behind...

She (former best friend) ran away from home a short time later and I found myself at a crossroads. Her life was in shambles and I saw from her experiences just what a life without Christ could become. And I didn't want that! I was now hanging out with friends who were strong Christians and soon because of their influence on my life, I turned back to God. I finally surrendered everything -- and accepted Jesus Christ as my LORD and Savior!

Time went on. I found an awesome group of friends who helped me in my Christian walk. They encouraged me to study God's word, to grow closer to Him...and as time passed my relationship with God grew. No longer was He simply a being on a throne above, instead He became the Father I could turn to whenever life dealt me problems. With His help, all things were possible! He had a plan for my life --- and the future looked bright and hopeful!

I think I settled into a pattern of sorts. I grew away from God as the years went by -- I was often simply going through the motions. I needed to get back on track!

Then a storm hit! My younger sister (who had been majorly influenced by my former best friend) ran away from home too. If ever I had a struggle to face, it was then! My faith in God was stretched -- dangling by a thread!!! I was mad! Mad at my sister -- mad at God!!! I don't know why I took it out on God, but I suppose I didn't know or have anyone else to blame. I was hurt, angry and disappointed that my Father who was supposed to have a "plan for good and not for evil" would allow this to happen. My world was shaken!!!

Looking  back now, I see it was indeed for my good. For in the past few years I had strayed a little bit away from God -- and I don't think anything else would have gotten my attention! This hurdle brought me back! Despite the hurt and disappointment I felt, in my darkest hours He was the only light I could turn to. I gave it all to Him -- and my relationship grew again. As the weeks passed, my faith and commitment to God grew stronger than it had at any other point in my life. Eventually I found peace with my sister's situation despite not being happy about it. My faith in God was back.

About 6 months later, I took another step of faith. On April 1, 2007, I was baptized on the confession of my faith. That same year, my sister came back home again!

I know now that everything really does happen for a reason. We may not always understand God's ways, but we need to trust despite it! We can't just float through life -- we wouldn't grow! The trials we face are sent to test us. They will bring us back to our knees -- back to our God. With Him on our side, we will come out stronger on the other side! We WILL prevail -- and our life will be bright with hope.

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"FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU",
SAYS THE LORD. "THEY ARE PLANS FOR GOOD
AND NOT FOR EVIL, TO GIVE YOU
A FUTURE AND A HOPE."

Jeremiah 29:11