I grew up in a pastor’s home and adopted early on the lifestyle of living for Christ…but not the deep heart commitment of being adopted by Christ. My parents called me the “joy of their lives,” I worked diligently to make them proud. I was not naturally rebellious and didn’t struggle to keep God’s laws. More than anything, I desired never to disappoint my earthly father. The problem was that I was trying to please the wrong father.
When I was 32, married, and had my first child, we changed churches and joined a church plant. I mentored a new Christian—as in days old—from a background unlike any I’d ever experienced. She challenged me and my faith, and I finally realized I had lived my entire life following rules instead of a Savior. I knew most Christian answers, or at least how to find them, but I had never written them on my heart.
Today, I am a new creation.
Outwardly, most would never notice a difference because the change happened inside. Living life to please Christ and do His will is now my heart’s desire.
I am first a Christ-follower. But after that, I’m a wife to Bob. We celebrated 31 years in December 2022. I have two grown daughters. The oldest, Jordan, is married and lives 15 minutes from me, allowing me to keep my grandsons during the day. My second daughter, Jessica, lives and works in another state. That makes me a mom and a Grammie, but I’m also an Author.
Writing is my ministry, and it’s how I share Christ with those who may never pick up a Bible or step foot inside a church. One of my friends said it best: “[You] write books that not only entertain but have life lessons in them without being preachy!” Those words thrilled me deep in my soul.
But my life hasn’t always been a bed of roses.
My life changed when I was diagnosed with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) in 2001, three years after my second child was born. It appeared hormones set off a series of events that caused tremendous vision loss in those three years, leaving me with only 20% of my peripheral vision at diagnosis. Because my sight declined rapidly, I assumed I would lose the remaining vision within a few years.
I was devastated and let God know how angry I was. Over the months, God slowly reminded me I do not need my vision to see things that matter: my husband’s kindness, the love of my children, and the beauty of the world around me.
I decided then that God was still worthy of my praise, no matter the outcome. Every morning, before my feet hit the floor, I thought of one thing to be thankful for. That turned into choosing to find the good in situations throughout the day. Before I knew it, I chose joy in every moment without thought.
I’d love to hear YOUR story! Please take a moment to connect with me in the comments below. Share something that will encourage another reader. Your walk is likely not like mine, and people need to hear all kinds of conversion stories. I’d enjoy hearing yours.
Thanks for sharing more about who you are!
Heidi, you are so brave, living with RP. God is doing such a wonderful thing in you, giving you the ministry of writing such wonderful stories. I thank God for you and our friendship.