Kev's Story

Although I wouldn’t say I had a bad life, there were 2 main events that did have major effects on me as I grew up.

Firstly my Dad died from a heart attack when I was 12. I was out at the swimming pool and never saw him again. Secondly I was bullied in school from the age of 11 until leaving at 16.

I was devastated with the death of my Dad and I became very “down” and insular. This to be honest meant I wasn’t fun to be with and I suspect that this had a major contribution to the bullying.  

My solution was to do a few rebellious things – not Premier League stuff – but I still was rebelling.

For example, I used to travel around British Rail without a ticket. I covered a considerable amount of miles in about 3 years. How I was never caught I really don’t know. It was rebellion and I did break the law, but the next rebellion was closer to home.

I started shoplifting, mainly cassettes and low value items like sweets etc. Again I wasn’t caught, but I did want other things so I decided instead of shoplifting I would get the money I needed elsewhere. I started stealing money from my Mom. I can’t recall how long I did it for until she realised and confronted me, I also don’t know how much I stole but it was considerable.

Mom was devastated, and to be honest so was I when I realised what I’d actually done. I asked Mom to forgive me and she said she would as long as I came to church with her. I agreed, as this seemed a lightweight punishment. I didn’t realise that this was going to be the first step on the way to changing my life forever.

The Minister at the Methodist Church where my Mother attended, spoke to us. He talked about sin and how it separates us from God and each other. I was quite moved. The service came to an end and my Mom said – well that was for you tonight. I filed away this experience.

A few months later a new minister arrived and invited me to the youth group. I wasn’t so sure, that is until he mentioned the cakes !! I started to go regularly and have to say for the first time for ages I made real friends. No one was perfect and there were clashes, but everyone was accepted as they were. I started to go to church and a while later was confirmed. Having said that, I didn’t feel any different. I assumed that this is how you got to know Jesus. The thing is I didn’t seem to.

I started to go to the Christian group at school, (the bullies loved that !!). I was asked to explain how I became a Christian and so reeled off the things you’ve just read and left it at that. Then two people invited me to a meeting at their Church. I figured I had nothing to lose so agreed to go.

I went to the meeting that weekend - it was quite different to anything I’d been to before. Things started with lively songs sung by people with great enthusiasm. Then there was a film about Jesus returning to Earth. The Minister spoke talking about the fact Jesus will one day come back for the Christians who have allowed Him to be in charge of their lives.

I was really moved by all of this, and when he asked if anyone wanted to allow Jesus to be in charge of their lives, I knew I had to. As I closed my eyes to pray, I heard God speak to me “You need me.” It wasn’t an audible voice, but I heard it clearly. I closed my eyes and gave my life to Jesus. I repented of my wrong doings and asked Him to forgive me.

That was the day I truly became a Christian. The Bible says very clearly that man can’t work his way to heaven by doing good things, (I’m not knocking doing good things), but by becoming “born again”. In other words, stop living for me and start living for God. You see, we’ve all done things that have upset God, and regardless how small or large it has the same effect – prevents us from having any relationship with Him. At the end of the day, wrong doing, or sin as its called in the Bible, separates from God and we reject Jesus by not following Him.

That all happened in the summer of 1978. I lot has happened since then. I joined the Navy, got married, left the Navy, had 3 children and learned that all the time I need Jesus more and more.

It hasn’t always been easy and I haven’t always got it right – or even wanted too !! – but the great thing about the Christian faith, is that if you repent (turn away from your wrong doing rather than just saying sorry), Jesus will forgive. The slate isn’t wiped clean, its thrown away and that’s the real issue.

You may have read this and be thinking “so what difference has that made”. Well it is in our nature to want to be loved and accepted. Jesus does both of those things AND He forgives our wrong doings so therefore sets free Not just that I’ve found in my life again and again, that God provides strength and support during difficult and stressful times. Looking back to the events I described earlier, I remember wondering how I was going to cope and even thinking about suicide. Now when things get tough, (and they do), I find that as I pray and allow myself to depend on what God wants to do and I cope far better than I ever did before.

We face new challenges every day as a family, but I’d rather go through them with Jesus – how about you ?

If you’ve got any questions about my story or even want know a bit more about Jesus mail me. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.

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