Growing up, I went to church every Sunday at our local church, I began working at the age of 12 and always held at least one job until I left for college. I had a lot of friends, laughed often, smiled at anyone that crossed my path, helped anyone in need, made plans on the weekend with friends, and enjoyed making new friends.
After I left small town living for college, I entered a large city. I even had a job lined up in Lincoln before I graduated high school. Now that sounds impressive! I attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln received my undergrad in Animal Science and began working on my graduate degree. I consistently held a job and discovered the "college life" with parties, late nights, and more. I also began dating the Devil.
He was sweet, charming, always there for me, and would give his opinion whether I wanted it or not. I thought it was the perfect relationship, and the relationship continued for many years - too many years.
Throughout the relationship, I became overly confident, arrogant, unappreciative, bitter - I think you get the picture. I also quit attending church during this time and I began losing some friends, friends I really enjoyed speaking with and going out with.
I lost one friend that I was becoming close to and that loss was the wake up call for me. Why did I lose my friend? I looked at myself in the mirror and saw who I had become. It was not the person I thought I was; I was really the person the Devil wanted me to be.
How could I let the Devil take over my life and hide my true character? I wasn't smiling, had to force myself to laugh, lost my friends and lost one very important relationship - my relationship with God.
That day, I looked in the mirror, took a good, long look and knew immediately why I had become this person. I was dating the Devil. I quit going to church, praying, having faith and listening to God. I let the Devil take over not only my faith, but also my character.
I dumped the Devil that night and brought God back into my life. Changes to my character and the loss of my dear friends didn't happen overnight and lost relationships wouldn't be fixed overnight either. The first step was I had to do was embrace everything God offered me, listen to Him, and find my character that was lost.
I began smiling again, laughing, holding my friends and family closer, embracing all that I have been offered, counting my blessings, and looking at the bright side of life.
As I'm writing this blog, I have tears running down my cheeks knowing I have my faith, began to find my character again and dumped the Devil. Those tears are also tears of sadness - sadness knowing I have hurt many, have lost some meaningful relationships, have some relationships to repair, and have many apologizes to give.
But as I wipe away these tears, I know I have my relationship with God, found my character, and have began repairing and building my relationships and I have my husband and kids to support me through all of this. Dumping the Devil was the best day of my life, and I won't be turning back.
