Everything wonderful in my life began just a bit over 31 years ago. It was last fall that I came to this conclusion at a women’s ministry get together. We always try to sit with people we don’t know, which makes ice breaker questions very interesting. Our final question before our actual event started was: “If your life were a book or movie what it be called?” I quickly blurted out ” Thirty Years a Slave , Thirty Years Saved!”  I startled the young mother of two sitting beside me. The look on her face was priceless as she took a sip of whatever she was drinking. “Vonda, why would you say that?” I explained to her and the other three women at my table that I was turning 60 in exactly 30 days, and that I was 30 when I finally totally surrendered my life to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. That singular change in my life early in the morning in the middle of March of 1986, released me from a life of sin, it brought me to my knees and revealed to me that it takes more than being “a good person” to have a personal intimate relationship with The Lord. From that moment on I marched forward seeking that personal relationship. I wanted to know God’s word, understand it, desire it, live it, and love it.

The significance of this revelation 30 years later became apparent as the evening progressed. As our guest speaker shared her testimony, bits and pieces pointed right back at my life! She was just 30  years old and parts of her life mirrored mine. I was overwhelmed as I listened to her words. I had lived a life similar to hers and I knew that a new life was possible, as long as Jesus was the center of it. Like the prodigal son, He had  welcomed me into His loving arms, He called me to the cross, forgave me, and showed me how to live a life unashamed of what had come before that moment. I was free, redeemed renewed, regenerated, and  refreshed. It did not seem like 30 years had passed. It seemed like it had barely begun and yet the memories of the sweet time I had been a part of this wonderful world filled  with joy, hope and love were spread over what suddenly seemed like a new beginning. There I was anticipating turning 60, remembering how the Lord had always patiently waited for  me to come to Him, calling me to come to the cross! I am His, He is mine, He is in me. There is nothing better, my journey with Jesus may be 30 years long, but there is another 30 to come. It is time for me to share my story so that others choose to come to the cross. Is He calling you to join Him? Are you listening?  Join me this month as I share what He has done for me, and what he can and will do for you!