Candy’s Story

“Grace Awakens: Finding Peace in Christ”

When I look back on my life, I see the threads of God’s grace weaving through my story, even when I didn’t fully recognize them. As a child growing up in a small-town church, Sunday school was a place where the seeds of faith were planted in my heart. My grandma, with her gentle love, would tie a dime in the corner of my handkerchief for the offering. It was a simple act, yet it carried profound significance. That little church became the place where I learned stories and songs about Jesus, and in the summer, Bible school filled my days with joy and truth.

At 17, my faith journey took a pivotal turn. My mom brought me to a church in a nearby city for a class about baptism. Week after week, my heart grew more restless, longing for something deeper. It was during one of those classes that I made the most life-changing decision: to trust Jesus and follow Him wholeheartedly. As I knelt in prayer, I declared, “I believe with all my heart that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and I accept Him as my Lord and Savior.” Soon after, I was baptized by immersion—a moment etched in my memory as the start of something beautiful.

But life didn’t unfold perfectly. Though I believed in God, I didn’t fully surrender my life to Him. I went through the motions, charting my own path, and often felt the emptiness that comes from living apart from His will. There were ups and downs, but amidst it all, I felt the stirrings of a deeper hunger for God.

One day, I received a Bible as a gift. I eagerly opened its pages, hoping to find answers, but the words seemed foreign—like a language I couldn’t grasp. Frustrated, I closed it and put it back in the box, unaware that God had something greater in store.

Then, in my forties, I had a life-changing encounter at a Baptist church. As I took a seat, a kind woman asked me, “Are you saved?” Her question pierced my soul. Unsure, I replied, “I guess so.” She invited me to lunch with her and her husband after the service, and I accepted. At their home, they shared scriptures from the book of Romans that illuminated the truth I had been searching for. In that moment, I felt the weight of my sins and the need for transformation. I prayed, repented, and rededicated my life to Christ—a decision that sparked a miraculous change.

The hunger for God’s Word that had once seemed elusive now burned within me. I opened that box, pulled out my Bible, and began reading. This time, the words leapt off the pages, alive and full of meaning. The verse that resonated deeply was 1 Corinthians 2:14: “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” God had opened my heart to understand His Word, and I immersed myself in it, attending every church service and growing in my walk with Christ. I even felt the need to be baptized again—this time, as a bold declaration to the world that I belonged to Jesus.

God’s transformative power became evident in unexpected ways. One night, I found myself at a bar with friends, as I had done many times before. But this time, something was different. Sitting there, I felt out of place—like I didn’t belong. The desire for those old habits vanished, replaced by a yearning for something pure and holy.

As I sought resources to nurture my faith, I discovered a Christian bookstore and the book “Eternal Security” by Charles Stanley. It captivated me, and I couldn’t wait to share my excitement with my sister-in-law. She revealed something remarkable—that same book had been sitting on her coffee table during my last visit, before I accepted Christ. How amazing is God’s timing and His ability to work all things for His purpose?

Today, my life is unrecognizably transformed. I no longer live for myself but for Christ. His love, grace, and guidance infuse every moment with meaning and peace. Every day, I eagerly dive into His Word, seeking the treasures He has for me. I trust Him completely, leaning on Him in every situation. The peace I experience—the peace that surpasses all understanding—is nothing short of a miracle.

This peace is available to you, too. If you’re longing for something greater, for a love that never fails, I invite you to click the link below and discover the life-changing power of Jesus.