Redeemed–that’s the word that comes to mind today as I think about my life. To be honest, I have walked closely to the Lord for over a decade now, so sometimes I forget how crazy my life was before I completely let Him take over.
So many of my dear friends played a major role in the transforming work God has done. For them, I’m forever grateful. Because there is an Annie most people never knew.
At the age of 15, I sat in a courthouse, across the table from a local judge as he decided how to handle a MIP (Minor in Possession) citation I acquired while making a very poor choice, repeatedly.
Four hard truths
The truth is, I was just longing for acceptance.
In that same year, I attempted suicide. The truth is, I was longing to be heard.
After many bad choices, I found myself in relationship after relationship, and unhealthy ones at that. The truth is, I was longing to be loved.
With alcohol making its way into my life at an early age, it became very normal for it to be a part of everything I did. The truth is, I was looking to escape pain.
God writes new stories
Sometimes I seriously forget where I have grown from. But recently, I was reminded of the power of sharing our stories. My story reminds me that God can take a complete mess and turn it into something beautiful. I would love to say all of my bad habits and mindsets shifted overnight, but that would be untrue. It took time. It even took work. But, through the entire process, God was with me.
Because God can change the course of our story, if we want a better life, it’s out there. If we want fulfillment, we can obtain it. If we desperately want to be free from the lies that chain us, it’s possible.
The best advice I can give anyone is to invite the One who created us into our mess, whatever it is. This was what changed everything for me and the turning point of my entire life.
He’s not afraid of our sin, our anger or our bad choices. He truly wants to walk into it, take our hand, and lead us out of it. That’s what he did for me. And, if you need it, he will do it for you too.
Annie Moss is an entrepreneur who leads two companies. Kimono+Co, is an online apparel company designed to see women embrace their own beauty, and The Vintage Sparrow offers jewelry that awakens courage in the heart of every woman.