I’ve heard it said, “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” It got me thinking, “What would be the top ten most life changing moments I’ve experienced?” I thought it was a good question. So, here they are. As of this moment, anyway. 🙂

10. The moment that one of my teachers told me I should consider writing for a career. When I start to think, You’re a terrible writer, stop doing it. I recall her words. Her confidence in me gives me confidence. No, I’m not making my living that way…or am I? I don’t get money for it, but writing is my life. It’s one of the things God created me to do. My goal is to always glorify Him by my words, both written and spoken. (Yes, I fail often, but I’m still trying!)

9. The moment I accepted God’s painful will for my life. That was a tough, but excellent moment. I have had to re-live it over and over, because I tend to be an Indian giver about stuff like that. I accept it, then I don’t. Accept, don’t accept…you get the idea.

8. The moment my husband stopped me from taking my own life.  He then proceeded to relocate our family just because he loved me. We had nothing. What a beautiful picture of Christ, giving Himself for His bride! I was recently told by someone that if God wanted me to be treated like trash, so what? But, God doesn’t want me to be treated like trash! He gave His only Son, Jesus, for me! That person probably wants me to be treated badly, but God doesn’t. And you know, I deserve the worst treatment one could imagine: I deserve Hell. I’m so thankful that God isn’t giving me what I deserve. Why, even the hardships of this life are for my good. (Rom.8:28) Praise the Lord, for this unspeakable gift.

7. The moment that God stopped me from going away to Bible college. It was amazing. I was headed there because it was a good place. But it wasn’t the best for me. 

6. The moment my one and only real boyfriend (besides my husband) betrayed me. I was truly naïve. On so many levels. {shudder} Let’s not re-live that one. But, it changed me and my goals for my life, forever.

5. The moment I pledged to be pure until marriage. I was 12 years old. I had no idea that the moment I got up from making that vow, Satan would throw darts at me from every angle. By God’s grace, I kept that vow. But twern’t easy.

4. The moment my future husband started trying to win my heart. It was right out of the movies. For real.

3. The moment I became a mother. It set in motion so many wonderful and terrible experiences to follow. And I wouldn’t change a thing.

2. The moment I became a child of God. June 12, 1993, to be exact. That actual day was ordinary, but the days since then have been right out of a novel. Or maybe I just dramatize everything. Or maybe not! The Christian life is the best life ever. Not the easiest life ever, but since when did “easy” and “best” become synonyms? The best is often hard. But it’s the best.

1. The moment my dad died. I know. I you’re thinking, this is number one? Above salvation? Well, actually, it’s a close second, but everyone expects salvation to be number one. I thought I’d be different. What? I already am? oh. I also chose it because it is the event that has affected my walk with God the most so far. I know Him better and deeper than ever before. His grace envelops me, carries me and comforts me. He had been doing this before Dad’s death, but I didn’t really see it. I didn’t know it. Dad’s death changed so many things: my childhood died on that day, it was truly the day I grew up. Christmas will never be the same; my family will never be the same. It was the day that I learned as Job did, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.” (Job 42:5) I’d heard of the Lord before, I thought I’d seen Him, but I hadn’t. He is more real to me now than ever.


Time is the stuff life is made of, and that time consists of moments. Each moment of my life I can either look for the good or focus on the bad; be thankful for what I have, or dwell on that which I do not; endure the drama, or enjoy His peace. It’s up to me. I enjoy my life as a Christian, as a Pastor’s wife, as a homeschooling mother of five, as a writer. It is the best life in the world, because it’s the life God has chosen just for me.

As I look back on these moments, what a blessing it is to know that God was beside me for each and every one. A greater blessing is to know He’ll be with me forever.