Alexandra LaFountain

I grew up a Jehovah’s Witness, witnessing what I thought was best for me, while watching my mom be so incredibly invested in years of service. Ultimately, she was shunned from our church and our community and I watched the life she built be ripped from her. I held so much guilt and hatred over this, and I gave up on God. Alcohol quickly became my escape. It took that feeling of guilt away, but it also took everything else. My personality, my smile, my desire for life. I was empty, lost, and completely alone, despite all of the support that was around me, begging for me to get help. My addiction had consumed me, and somehow I was still here. Last year, I finally gave it up. At the time, I couldn’t explain how or why, only that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. However, even after months of therapy and being booze free, I was still not happy and something was still missing. I had a desire to check out a church just to see if I felt anything, and that first day I walked in here, every emotion came pouring out of me. I still remember that feeling clear as day. I felt relieved and I felt safe, and I’ve never looked back. God was working even when I couldn’t see it. I’ve felt change in ways I can’t describe other than that I feel the Holy Spirit running through me, guiding me in the right direction. I’m so grateful for Jesus. In a religion where shame came down upon me and my loved ones for having dirty feet, I’ve learned that Jesus kneels down to wash them, and that he was here all along. All of the darkness that consumed my life has been removed and replaced with peace and hope.

1 Peter 5:6-7 says: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”

I can only look forward as I feel that I have won so much, and know God is calling me to do great things. I have been made great by how I have suffered. Thank you Jesus for being strong when I was weak.